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Comment by grunder_advice | Hacker News Reader

It was a populist move because a big chunk of the electorate is German moms and German grandmas who are absolutely terrified of radiation post Chernobyl.

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But that fear is also largely manufactured by the government through publicly funded television/radio.

The fear was widespread across the whole European continent at the time. I don't think you can put the blame on any one person. I think it's entirely natural to be afraid of an invisible undetactable danger that will give you cancer. Many other such fears, due to other environmental pollutions are present today, however justified or not they might be.

You still shouldn’t eat certain mushrooms in Bavaria thanks to Chernobyl

The operator companies are also in favor of the exit because it’s too expensive

Given that wild game in the most affected areas still have to be tested soon half a century after the accident I wouldn't dismiss the fear as unfounded.

Also post Fukushima.

Fukushima sure, but a lot of women were traumatized by Chernobyl and the news of a cloud of radioactive dust that was going to give them all cancer. I think Fukushima just reingnited those fears.

Mushrooms and boars are still contaminated in Bavaria

My parents neighbour is a retired policeman and a hunter.

I think he has to discard 3 out of 4 boar due to contamination levels, he told us not too long ago.

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