Host Nation Update, Jan. 8, 2025
Buses on strike in Baden-Württemberg on Thursday and Friday
Many people who normally travel to work or school by bus will have to be prepared for restrictions on Thursday and Friday – and may have to look for alternatives. The service union Verdi has called for warning strikes in the private bus industry on Thursday (January 9) and Friday (January 10).
Buses and U-Bahn services in Stuttgart (operated by the SSB) are not affected; neither are S-Bahn trains, regional trains, and suburban trains in the region.
“After the first round of negotiations on December 18 for the approximately 9,000 employees in the private bus industry in Baden-Württemberg ended without an offer from the employers, and Verdi is calling for the first warning strikes this week,” according to a Verdi statement. Around 30 companies are affected by the work stoppages, some of which will take place on Thursday and some on Friday for one day each, including in the following cities: Schwäbisch Hall, Reutlingen, Göppingen, Waiblingen, Ludwigsburg, Backnang, Bietigheim-Bissingen, Stadtverkehr Heidenheim, Karlsruhe (in parts), Geislingen, Böblingen, Neckarsulm, Heilbronn area, Schwetzingen/Wiesloch area, and Plochingen. City transport in Tübingen is also affected, as is interurban transport in the greater Stuttgart area, the greater Karlsruhe area, the Schwäbisch Hall area and the Reutlingen/Tübingen area. with most of the companies on strike, there will be no regular service on the days of the strike.
“We want to send an unmistakable signal to the employers with this week’s work stoppages: We are aiming for a quick and good agreement. We also expect a serious offer in the second round in the interests of our customers,” says Jan Bleckert, chief negotiator at Verdi. Among other things, the union is demanding nine percent more pay and 100 euros more per month for trainees over a period of twelve months. (Stuttgarter Nachrichten, Jan 8, 2025)
Human Metapneumo Virus – how dangerous is hMPV?
Winter is the time for cold viruses. This includes the human metapneumovirus (hMPV for short). There are currently increasing reports of an outbreak of the virus in China and images on social media of overburdened hospitals. The World Health Organization cannot confirm reports of an outbreak of the human metapneumovirus in China, as the German medical journal Deutsches Ärzteblatt reports. Although the number of acute respiratory infections has risen compared to the previous month, this is to be expected for the winter season, a WHO spokesperson said. British physician Paul Hunter from the University of East Anglia said, according to the medical journal: “Overall, there are currently no signs of a more serious global problem.”
What is hMPV?
The human metapneumovirus (hMPV) belongs to the Pneumoviridae family and causes respiratory infections. Symptoms include a cold, cough, fever and shortness of breath. In severe cases, pneumonia can also occur. Infections with hMPV occur more frequently, especially in winter.
hMPV: How dangerous is the virus?
The virus is not new. It was discovered by a Dutch research team in 2001. It is assumed that the virus has been circulating undetected among humans since the 1950s. According to the Cleveland Clinic in Ohio, many people are infected with the virus in childhood. Even if you have already had the disease once, you can catch it again, but the symptoms are usually mild. The illness usually lasts a few days and can be cured at home. Most people do not develop severe symptoms. Children and older people have a higher risk of becoming seriously ill. The same applies to people with a weakened immune system, for example due to cancer, and people with asthma.
What types of viruses can cause a respiratory infection?
Rhinoviruses, adeno viruses, entero viruses, corona viruses, influenza viruses and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), Human metapneumovirus
How can you protect yourself against hMPV?
There is currently no vaccine against hMPV. To prevent infection, the Cleveland Clinic recommends hygiene measures: Washing your hands regularly, not socializing with sick people and not touching your face. (Stuttgarter Nachrichten, Jan 7, 2025)
Stuttgart region – Flood risk low despite additional rainfall
The weather in Stuttgart and the region will not be boring in the coming days either. Between gusts of wind, snow and spring-like temperatures, there’s a lot to look forward to. It will remain wet in Stuttgart and the region in the coming days. According to the German Weather Service (DWD), there will be isolated rain showers on Tuesday. Experts are also warning of gusts of wind with speeds of between 50 and 60 kilometers per hour. Despite the rainfall of the past few days, people in the region need not worry about the possibility of streams or rivers overflowing. According to the flood forecasting center, there is currently no danger of flooding. The danger is also low over the next few days. The weather is also expected to be similar in the following days. On Wednesday, with temperatures between one and three degrees, there may even be renewed snowfall in addition to rain showers. Thursday will remain gray and rainy, but it will be significantly warmer with maximum temperatures of up to twelve degrees. (SN, 7 Jan 25)
Baden-Württemberg Minister-President Kretschmann’s wife in hospital – head of government cancels all appointments
Gerlinde and Winfried Kretschmann have been married for many decades. The First Lady is now in hospital with a shoulder injury – and her husband is by her side. She will undergo surgery today. Her husband Winfried Kretschmann has therefore canceled his participation in the Green parliamentary group’s retreat at Lake Constance and his attendance at the citizens’ reception in the evening. A spokesperson for the parliamentary group confirmed this. According to the “Südkurier” newspaper, Gerlinde Kretschmann, who was born in 1947, fell on a flight of stairs. Green politician Kretschmann and his wife had announced that she had breast cancer shortly before the 2021 state election in March. Kretschmann had also canceled several appointments during the state election campaign at the time in order to have more time for his wife. (SN 7 Jan, 2025)