Blanke Bedenken, a group of German doctors, posted naked selfies online to protest how healthcare workers fighting with Coronavirus from the frontline are still experiencing a shortage of protective equipment and clothing. Juthy Saha reports.
Calling their protest ‘Blanke Bedenken’, the protest group said they want to get the attention of Germany’s health ministers as they feel that their calls for more protective gear and kit haven’t been heard since the arrival of Covid-19 in Germany in late January.
They claimed: “When we run out of what little we have, we look like this”, suggesting that going to work without PPE in the current crisis is like being naked.
Ruben Bernau, a GP in the group, in a statement said that he and his practice team were insufficiently equipped to deal with the virus, adding: “The nudity is a symbol of how vulnerable we are without protection.”
Christian Rechtenwald, who also has a GP practice, said the group had been inspired by the actions of a French doctor, Alain Colombié, who was photographed naked in his practice after describing himself and fellow doctors as “cannon fodder” in the fight against the pandemic.
Medical staff have also reported widespread theft of disinfectant and masks from hospitals, for which police have blamed organised criminal gangs. Many hospitals have increased their security as a result.
Jana Husemann, another GP, said: “Of course we want to continue treating patients who still need to receive a close examination.” For that she required proper PPE, she said.
- For more information on Blanke Bedenken, visit: https://www.blankebedenken.org/
