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It will be four difficult weeks, Chancellor Merkel knows this very well. And yet he admonishes, warns, asks. Because there should be stricter rules to get to a sorely needed tipping point in the corona pandemic.
By Torsten Huhn, ARD capital studio
Chancellor Angela Merkel urgently asked for an understanding of the new restrictions. You’re worried, Merkel said, and asked people to understand the renewed adjustment.
“I came to them today because the restrictions on public and private life that the federal and state governments have decided for the month of November go into effect today in Germany. These restrictions really affect everyone,” Merkel said.
“I will have to live with a pandemic for some time”
Many citizens would react to the new rules with understanding and understanding, but there are also doubts, skepticism and rejection. “But we have to be aware that we will have to live with the pandemic for some time,” Merkel said. Today more than 12,000 new cases were reported. “That roughly triples in 14 days, five times since mid-October,” said the CDU politician. “This is exponential growth allowing us to address an acute emergency in our hospitals with increasing speed.”
A visibly concerned chancellor said the number of corona patients in intensive care units had doubled in the past ten days. No government could be responsible for such development.
The goal is the limit
Merkel noted that the rapid spread of the virus is overwhelming health authorities. The spread of the virus can no longer be traced. And three-quarters of the cases could no longer be assigned. “That is why we have to go back to a situation where health authorities can trace contacts. Otherwise, exponential growth will continue to increase,” Merkel warned.
“We have to go back to 50 infections per 100,000 inhabitants,” demanded Merkel, until then the health authorities could still understand. Achieving this number is the goal for the next four weeks. The Chancellor emphasized that they would be tough, he knew.
Reduce contacts as much as possible
Merkel said repeatedly that contacts had to be avoided: “This is always the question. Because we know that there is a close relationship between the number of contacts and the number of infected people. That means we have to reduce contacts where that always it’s possible “.
The Chancellor demands a lot: work at home, no vacation trips, no absolutely necessary visits to relatives, no festivals and celebrations, no cultural events. And even at home, as few people as possible should gather. “And, of course, that means four weeks without many things that beautify life. And we know it, both the prime ministers and we in the federal government.”
No better way has been found. The measures are necessary and could become a breakwater, Merkel said. It is up to everyone to make November a success, to bring it to a tipping point.
On November 16, the Chancellor wants to discuss the existing situation with the Prime Minister. This press conference did not raise high hopes for a normal Christmas.
