Christian Drosten to Testify in Coronavirus Investigation in Saxony

Dresden, Germany — Virologist Christian Drosten will testify before a parliamentary investigation committee on Friday, shedding light on decisions made during the COVID-19 pandemic. The committee, driven by the faction of Sahra Wagenknecht (BSW), seeks clarity on the effectiveness of pandemic measures.

Drosten, a prominent figure and key advisor to the government, has been asked to address what evidence supported the recommendations given throughout the pandemic. “The public has a right to know which measures were effective and which were not,” said BSW committee member Ines Biebrach.

Fellow committee member Jens Hentschel-Thöricht voiced the need for transparency, emphasizing that understanding the scientific basis of decisions is crucial. He stated, “It must be made clear where science had reliable evidence and where political decisions were made on uncertain data. We cannot ignore possible mistakes and their impact on children and adolescents.”

Biebrach remarked, “At the end of this Q&A session, we need to be able to assess what was right or wrong.” The upcoming hearing with Drosten is viewed as a key element in this accountability process.

The investigation was initiated by the AfD faction to review the actions of the Saxony government in response to the coronavirus from 2019 to 2024. According to the Social Ministry, approximately 17,750 people have died from COVID-19 in Saxony since the pandemic began in March 2020.