Coronavirus: German Aim to Control the Epidemic Before Christmas with 2nd Lockdown
The German federal government held a video conference with the state governments in the Chancellery on Wednesday (28th) to discuss and formulate emergency countermeasures against the second wave of the epidemic. The most important content is that starting next Monday (November 2), contact between people will be reduced to a minimum. Public gatherings of more than two families and more than 10 people are prohibited, and sports and cultural venues will stop activities for 4 weeks. In addition to take-out, the catering industry is also closed for one month. The Bundesliga matches can continue without spectators.
The above-mentioned companies that have been ordered to close can apply for state subsidies equivalent to up to 75% of the previous year’s turnover. This money will be approved by the Federal Ministry of Economic Affairs and the Ministry of Finance.
Unlike the spring restrictions, kindergartens, primary and secondary schools, industrial enterprises, handicraft enterprises and shops will not be closed this time. Retail stores, supermarkets, etc. will all operate normally under hygienic measures, and hygienic measures include restricting passenger flow: each customer must have 25 square meters of space in the store.
These measures will be evaluated in about two weeks, when Chancellor Merkel will once again preside over the cabinet meeting with state governors.
Government goal: control the epidemic before Christmas
The new Coronavirus epidemic in Germany is getting worse. On Wednesday (October 28), according to data released by the official Robert Koch Institute, the number of new infections in the past 24 hours has exceeded 15,000. At this rate of development, the mathematical model shows that every 7 to 10 days, the number of new infections will double; after 3 or 4 weeks, the number of new infections will exceed 100,000 per day.
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Experts from the Max Planck Institute for Dynamic Development in Germany believe that the German medical system can withstand 20,000 to 100,000 new cases per day, but this will depend on the age structure of the infected person. The older the person, the older he will be admitted to the hospital for treatment after being infected with the new Coronavirus. The higher the ratio. The German government hopes to do everything possible to avoid a situation where hospitals are overwhelmed and can only selectively treat patients. Currently, neighboring Belgium is close to this state.
German Federal Minister of Health Jens Spahn, who has been infected with the new Coronavirus and is quarantined at home, told the media, “If we wait until the emergency room is overcrowded and start thinking about a solution, it will be too late.” He said, “Only cut it off now The second wave can effectively control the epidemic by Christmas.” Controlling the epidemic before Christmas is the goal set by the federal government.
Germany announced on Wednesday that the number of deaths in a single day from the new Coronavirus was 85, and the total number of deaths rose to 10,183. A federal government spokesperson said that critically ill patients in hospitals are currently doubling every 10 days. The average number of people infected with the virus per 100,000 population in Germany is close to 94. This number is an important indicator in Germany. If there are less than 50 cases, life is basically normal; if there are more than 50 cases, measures must be taken. At present, 70% of counties and cities in Germany have more than 50 cases.
turn off? Not off? Wrestling
Negotiations between the federal government and state governments on Wednesday were a difficult process. The governor Daniel Günther, who is a member of the CDU in the northernmost part of Shihe State, took the lead in expressing his position before the start of the meeting and firmly opposed the closure of the catering industry.
The retail industry, which has received relatively “tolerant” treatment, also considers itself “innocent.” The general manager of the industry association said that the retail industry is not a hot spot for infection, and it has been possible to prove that shopping is safe during the epidemic. In particular, they criticized the 25-square-meter rule, believing that it will bring unnecessary queues and crowds to cause infection.
The most objectionable voice comes from the catering industry: they only leave takeout. The chairman of the food industry union said that from the knowledge he has now, as long as the epidemic prevention measures are followed, the restaurant is not the place of infection, and private large gatherings are dangerous.