Germany is currently facing a surge in COVID cases, and experts are attributing part of it to what is being called the “Barbenheimer effect”. According to Spiegel, mass gatherings, including trips to the cinema to watch movies like Barbie and Oppenheimer, are contributing to the steep rise in infections. The Guardian reports that COVID-related visits to doctors have increased by 175% week-on-week, and hospitalizations are up by 50%. While official statistics show a low case rate, testing is limited. However, monitoring stations have identified an increase in viral load in wastewater.
Last month, Peter Hotez, a vaccine expert at Baylor College’s National School of Tropical Medicine, raised concerns about a potential Barbenheimer wave. In a tweet, he mentioned the possibility of a post-BarbieBoxOffice Covid bump and emphasized the importance of booster shots and wearing pink masks. Barbie and Oppenheimer have achieved great success in Germany and other European countries, setting records in some markets, as reported by Variety. In Germany alone, around 4 million people have seen Barbie and 2.5 million have seen Oppenheimer. (There is also a new COVID variant being monitored by the CDC.)
It is crucial for individuals to remain vigilant, follow recommended health measures, and stay informed about the latest developments related to COVID-19.
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