Open letter to the people of Upper Lusatia

Dear fellow citizens,

Christmas is just a few days away, and we wish everyone peaceful holidays and a good New Year. We would also like to take this opportunity to acknowledge the many people who are working or on call during this time. Thanks to them, the majority of us can enjoy this traditional break. In addition to our fire departments and emergency services, given the current circumstances, this includes—in particular—the staff in the nursing and healthcare sectors.

That is why we also want to remind you: Exactly one year ago, our region gained tragic notoriety through international reports of overwhelmed hospitals and crematoriums. The spread of the virus swept over us at an alarming rate.

None of us ever wanted to experience anything like that again. But the current case numbers from COVID-19 infections in hospitals—from Zittau to Görlitz to Weißwasser—are alarmingly high. When vaccines finally became available, hope grew that we could leave the pandemic restrictions behind us. Today, unfortunately, we know better. The vaccines are effective, but we were unable to vaccinate sufficient numbers of people fast enough. There were many reasons for this—both organizational and communicative. And so, after a deceptively carefree summer, we are once again facing a year-end weighed down by many concerns. The fourth wave of the COVID-19 pandemic is hitting us particularly hard once again.

All those who have lost loved ones to the pandemic need our comfort and renewed courage to face life.

This year, 2021, has taken a heavy toll on all of us, and the strain is not yet easing. We haven’t made it yet.

While we fully understand the frustration over renewed restrictions and the burdens they place on every family, every business, and every organization, we call on everyone to stick together—especially now—and to fight the pandemic in solidarity. Out of a sense of responsibility toward our fellow human beings, we are complying with the temporary measures to curb the spread of the coronavirus—and we ask all of you to do the same.

With this open letter, we appeal to everyone in our region:

• Stay informed about the pandemic through accurate and reliable sources.
• Devote your energy to helping those who need your support.
• Distance yourselves from extreme views and actions, and do not allow yourselves to be drawn into radical protests.
• Promote trust in our democracy, in our excellent scientific community, and in the support of our colleagues in nursing and healthcare.
• Be considerate and keep the lines of communication open—without hatred or incitement.
• Follow the current hygiene guidelines.
• Get vaccinated if your health allows it.
• Help relieve the burden on our hospitals and doctors by avoiding situations that could lead to accidents.

We would like to express our heartfelt thanks to those who have been doing incredible work for all of us for months now in hospitals, doctors’ offices, and nursing facilities, as well as with emergency services and patient transport.

Unfortunately, many of the things that make the Advent season and the holidays so special are not possible right now. Let us nevertheless celebrate a peaceful Christmas. With prudence and caution, we can all enjoy these things: after getting vaccinated or tested, spending time with our closest family and a few friends, the traditional Christmas dinner, decorated windows and trees in our cities, Christmas music, and festive treats.

We wish you a Merry Christmas and a happy 2022. Please stay healthy and help others do the same.

Sincerely,