Former German Health Minister Jens Spahn has vehemently denied receiving any financial benefit from businesses selling masks during the COVID-19 pandemic. Responding to inquiries from “Der Stern” magazine, Spahn labeled accusations from members of the Green Party as “defamatory” drawing a parallel to criticism he has previously received from the Alternative for Germany (AfD) party.
Spahn defended the government’s actions during the pandemic, asserting that Germany managed the crisis “better than most other countries in the world”. He argued that standard bureaucratic procedures were impractical and unnecessary, particularly in the initial stages and refuted claims of having suppressed relevant information in a report. He stated that the lack of evidence supporting the accusations demonstrated their fabricated nature.
The politician also addressed criticism regarding the procurement of masks, rejecting the assertion that he overruled expert advice. He differentiated between possessing greater knowledge and being compelled to make decisions, emphasizing that a unified professional consensus was frequently absent during the crisis. “Because there was no blueprint” he explained, highlighting the need for swift action rather than inaction. Spahn concluded by condemning those who he believes exploited the crisis for personal gain.
