Three weeks have passed since Corona tests became chargeable in Germany by the majority. Three weeks can make a huge difference in a pandemic. With today's knowledge, it must be said: abolishing the free citizen tests was a mistake. The free offers should be urgently reintroduced. And for everyone - vaccinated or unvaccinated.

The idea was perfectly understandable: If the testing costs money, then all those who do not fundamentally reject vaccination, but have just not been able to get up the nerve, would finally get vaccinated. And it would also save tax money! That's what the federal government had in mind.

But among those who have not yet been vaccinated, only a tiny fraction are even considering vaccination. Almost 90 percent do not want to be vaccinated or are unlikely to be vaccinated. In addition, fits that the inoculation ratio did not move also after the end of the free tests practically from the spot. Those who still don't have a vaccination obviously don't want one - the country has to deal with that now, as bitter as that may be.

Free testing combined with the widest possible application of 3-G rules - even on the job! - could be a step toward countering the next Corona wave and the social divide at the same time. Because it narrows the gap between the vaccinated and the unvaccinated, thus opening up the possibility of meeting each other with the greatest possible safety.

But also because it has been shown that testing can also be useful for those who have been vaccinated. Especially those who want to deal responsibly with the pandemic and have therefore decided to be vaccinated would probably take advantage of these offers: To be on the safe side, be it after a trip with many contacts or for regular control. This can be an important contribution to surviving autumn and winter better than in 2020, and must not fail because of money.