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The number of deaths and new infections from coronavirus remains at a high level. The German health authorities have sent 14,432 new cases and 500 deaths in one day to the Robert Koch Institute (RKI), as the RKI announced this Tuesday morning. On Tuesday of the previous week, 14,054 new infections and 423 deaths were reported. The highs of 29,875 reported cases and 598 deaths were reached on Friday. Tuesday’s 500 deaths mark the third highest number since the pandemic began.
The trend in the number of daily deaths had recently increased, which was also expected after the sharp increase in new infections. The total number of people who died with or with a proven Sars-CoV-2 infection rose to 22,475. The 7-day incidence, which is critical to assess the situation, new infections reported per 100,000 population in 7 days decreased. slightly back. It peaked at 176.4 on Monday. On Tuesday that number fell to 173.7.
Since the beginning of the pandemic, the RKI has counted 1,351,510 infections detected with Sars-CoV-2 in Germany (as of December 15, 00:00). Around 1,003,300 people are estimated to have recovered. The seven-day R-value nationwide was 1.06 based on Monday’s RKI management report (previous day: 1.12). This means that, in theory, 100 infected people infect 106 more people. The value represents the onset of the infection 8 to 16 days ago. Only when it is below 1 for a longer period does it decrease.
Altmaier for coupons instead of shopping adventures
Federal Economy Minister Peter Altmaier (CDU) asks citizens to refrain from buying Christmas gifts on Monday and Tuesday due to the risk of infection. “I wish and hope that people only get what they really need in terms of food,” Altmaier told the newspaper. image. This is not the time for “shopping adventures”, vouchers are the best solution. No one can say when the stores will reopen after Christmas. “The sooner we control these infections, the better it will be for everyone.”
Despite Wednesday’s tough lockdown, Altmaier doesn’t expect the economy to collapse like it did in the spring. “I am relatively confident that we will not experience a recession like the one we saw in the spring of this year,” the CDU politician told Deutschlandfunk on Monday. “It is possible, if we act wisely, to preserve the economic substance of the country once again.” This included relief measures, but also that the restrictions would not have to be extended over and over again. In hindsight, politicians were too disheartened by the less harsh measures of recent weeks in the fight against the corona virus.
The leader of the green parliamentary group Anton Hofreiter called for a step-by-step plan for the period after January 10 after federal and state resolutions on the shutdown. “For the next few months, we need well-planned action and a long-term perspective,” Hofreiter told the newspaper. Rheinische Mail. He hopes that a law will be passed in January with a nationwide binding phased plan, which would make it clear when and where the measures will be applied. The Greens would support the decisions. “We support the now planned total closure. The alternative would have been a total loss of control and many more deaths.”
Steinmeier: “It is up to us, and we know what to do”
Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier defended the stricter lockdown Monday. “The situation is extremely serious,” the federal president said in a statement about the new restrictions. “As of Wednesday, our public and private life will be restricted more than ever in the history of the Federal Republic.” But decisive action is necessary due to the large number of corona infections. He called on citizens to radically limit contacts to contain infections. “Our efforts to date in fighting the pandemic are insufficient,” he said. “It’s up to us, and we know what to do.”
The federal and state governments decide the closure as of Wednesday
In view of the persistently high number of corona infections, Germany faces another shutdown from December 16 to January 10. The federal and state governments agreed to this on Sunday. The measures taken on November 2 would not have been sufficient to contain the infection, Chancellor Angela Merkel (CDU) said at a subsequent press conference. “We are obliged to act and we are acting now.”
The new rules also stipulate that retail, with the exception of stores for daily necessities, such as grocery stores, must close as of Wednesday. Important contact restrictions in schools and nurseries must apply during the same period. “During this time, children should be cared for at home whenever possible. Therefore, schools will be closed or compulsory attendance will be suspended during this period, ”says the resolution. The same procedure should be used in nurseries. Additional opportunities will be created for parents to take paid leave to care for their children during the mentioned period.
In addition, a maximum of five people from two households can meet privately, with the exception of children up to 14 years of age. For the days of Christmas from December 24 to 26, the federal states may allow an additional four people of close relatives plus children up to 14 years in each household “depending on their respective infection rate.” According to the Chancellor, the closest family circle includes spouses and other life partners, as well as direct relatives such as siblings, siblings, and their respective household members, even if this means more than two households. Previously, a more generous relaxation had been planned for Christmas, which provided for up to 10 people. Services should be possible, but with clear rules of distance, a mask requirement also in the square, and a ban on singing.
On New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day, a “ban on arrivals and gatherings” will be implemented nationwide. In addition, a ban on fireworks will be applied in public places, which are determined by the municipalities. “There is a ban on selling pyrotechnics before New Year’s Eve,” Merkel said. In addition, the consumption of alcohol in public will be prohibited from December 16 to January 10 and violations will be fined. “Facilities for body-friendly services” such as hair salons, cosmetic studios, massage parlors and tattoo studios will be closed. “
Please “refrain from making contacts that are not absolutely necessary in the coming days,” said the Chancellor. The government advises against travel in and out of the country. Even before the meetings on the Christmas holidays, citizens should reduce their contacts for seven days and insert a “protection week”.
The Federal Minister of Finance, Olf Scholz (SPD), anticipates new aid worth billions due to the new measures. For a month, this will cost a good 11 billion euros, he said. “There will be a very broad economic and bridge aid.” Up to 90 percent of the fixed costs of closed companies would be covered. For a company that could be up to 500,000 euros.
“Lateral thinkers” demonstrate in Frankfurt despite ban
Despite the ban on a demonstration against Corona’s measures, both supporters of the “lateral thinking” initiative and counter-protesters took to the streets in Frankfurt on Saturday. The city had previously banned the demonstration, the Hessian Administrative Court in Kassel upheld the ban and justified it with the high risk of infection. The applicant had not presented a viable hygiene concept for its meetings and rejected alternative locations offered by the city of Frankfurt. An urgent request at the initiative of the Federal Constitutional Court also failed. The organizers of a “lateral thinking” demonstration in Dresden were also unsuccessful before the Federal Constitutional Court.
Two small gatherings with “a handful” of “lateral thinkers” broke up, a police spokesman announced. “These were in direct context with the forbidden event.” Meanwhile, around 450 counter-protesters had gathered for a rally and started a march from there. The “lateral thinkers” had asked their followers to come to Frankfurt despite the ban and to record spontaneous meetings.
Meanwhile, the atmosphere intensified when the two groups met at the main station in the city center, as a police spokesman reported on Saturday. The agents threatened to use water cannons, but managed to separate the groups.
The organizers of the “lateral thinking” demonstration in Dresden were unsuccessful before the Federal Constitutional Court, their urgent request was also rejected. The Higher Administrative Court of Saxony in Bautzen had previously confirmed the prohibition of the city of Dresden. The Higher Administrative Court came under fire a month ago when it overturned the ban on “thinking outside the box” in central Leipzig in early November.
According to the police, alleged rally participants who had arrived were detained, two buses were sent back onto the highway and a group of thugs who behaved aggressively were arrested. An administrative offense proceeding was initiated against the 26 men for violating the crown’s measures. According to the police, there were no major incidents and the situation remained calm. A total of 161 referrals were made and almost 300 administrative offenses were sanctioned. In addition, the officials stated that they had committed 25 crimes, including insulting, resisting law enforcement officers and falsifying health certificates. A total of 72 people remained temporarily in police custody.
Despite the court ban on a large assembly, some 500 people turned up at Domplatz on Saturday afternoon, according to Erfurt police. According to observers, the situation was partially aggravated when the police attempted to break up the unauthorized gathering, which was directed against state crown measures, and determine the identities of the participants.
