Coronavirus news Wednesday: Emmanuel Macron announces televised address

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Bars Should Close, Schools Stay Open – Federal Government Is Pushing For Drastic Crown Measures In November

4:05 am: Due to the increasing number of corona infections, Angela Merkel today informs the Prime Minister about new restrictions. Apparently, the federal government plans to shut down public life in the coming weeks. Read the key points of the draft resolution here.

The head of the SPD, Walter-Borjans, warns about the uselessness of anti-crown courses without acceptance

03.35 am: Immediately before discussions on the new anti-crown measures with Federal Chancellor Angela Merkel (CDU), SPD leader Norbert Walter-Borjans warned that the steps might not work. “We have to stop the dynamics of the virus and join forces to take all necessary measures,” said Walter-Borjans of the German Press Agency in Berlin. “All the measures of the crown must be well founded, uniform, clear and understandable. Because without the acceptance of the citizens, even the best recipes against the corona virus are worthless.”

Germany is in a development of exponential growth of pandemic infections that does not allow “to continue as before”. The SPD expects clear measures from the upcoming Prime Minister’s Conference (MPK) so that as many people as possible stay healthy and the health system is not overloaded. “The MPK should not be used as a platform for profiling in the fight for political office,” said the SPD leader.

The SPD heads of government know that restricting contacts also requires great sacrifices and could mean financial difficulties, Walter-Borjans said. “We want to cushion the losses as much as possible so that companies and employees can overcome the crisis.” A new closure of schools and nurseries should be avoided. Sick people and those in need of care should not be isolated.

New start in the crown crisis: what skills do we need now?

02.45 am: In the crown crisis, many people are thinking about starting a new career, because they want to or have to. What skills are required in times of turmoil? Answers from a psychologist.

Economist Fuest speaks out against the blockade

02.00 am: The president of the Institute for Economic Research (Ifo), Clemens Fuest, speaks out against a renewed national closure. “Regional blocking measures, adapted in their extension to the local infection situation, are the best solution,” he says in an interview with the newspaper “Mannheimer Morgen”. “We also learned from the experience with the first national blockade,” said the economist.

Health protection takes priority, but measures must be proportionate. According to Fuest, the growing number of infections is putting great pressure on the economy, even if there is no state-ordered lockdown. “The pandemic is the problem and not the state’s response to the virus,” says Fuest.

City Association calls for uniform crown rules

1.30 am: Ahead of the prime ministers’ conference with Chancellor Angela Merkel (CDU) on Wednesday, the German Association of Cities is pushing for tougher crown rules at the national level. “Despite the alarming increase in numbers, we have to avoid a second full shutdown like in the spring,” City Council President Burkhard Jung told the “Funke Mediengruppe” newspapers. The number of infections must be significantly reduced without the need to close schools and nurseries. “People should be able to continue shopping. And the economic recovery must not stop.”

To do this, all countries should take the same measures if the limit of 35 or 50 infections per 100,000 inhabitants is exceeded, says Jung. “So people can see better and we don’t have the constant public debate about a patchwork quilt.”

Italy: thousands of people protest against crown rules

1 am: In Italy, thousands of people took to the streets again in protest against the strictest measures in the fight against the corona pandemic. In several cities they demonstrated Tuesday night with shouts of “freedom” against the early curfew for restaurants and other stores. The police used tear gas. Meanwhile, the government of Rome announced an economic aid of more than five billion euros for the areas most affected by the pandemic.

Economy Minister Roberto Gualtieri promised that the funds would be disbursed in a “simple and fast process.” The money should be in the accounts of those affected by mid-November. It is intended for restaurants, taxi drivers and the entertainment industry, among others.

Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte announced that his government passed the decree in a race against time. “There are people who suffer and cannot wait any longer,” he said.

Biden again accuses Trump of surrendering to corona virus

12:20 am: Presidential candidate Joe Biden has once again accused the president of the United States, Donald Trump, of surrendering to the corona virus. “Donald Trump waved the white flag, abandoned our families and surrendered to the virus,” Biden said at a campaign rally in Atlanta, Georgia. “But the American people are not giving up.” In the event of his victory, Biden announced: “I will develop a plan to responsibly combat this pandemic that will unite this country.” He accused Trump of not listening to science.

So far, more than 226,000 people infected with corona have died in the United States.

Macron announces televised speech: report on closure plan

12:15 am: French President Emmanuel Macron announced a televised speech for Wednesday night. This was announced by his office. At first it was not known what Macron’s speech would be about. In recent months, however, Macron has used television speeches to announce new rules on the coronavirus.

In recent days, Macron had some conversations to discuss the current situation in the crown crisis. French news broadcaster BFM TV reported that the French government is considering another nationwide lockdown. This could take effect as of midnight Thursday, but then less stringent restrictions would be applied than in the first lockdown, which had been in effect for two months from March. As the television station reports, schools could remain open if there were a new closure.

The French authorities registered 523 new deaths related to the coronavirus on Tuesday. In addition, 33,417 new infections were recently recorded in France.

MEPs reported speaking with Prime Minister Jean Castex in which he had warned of overcrowding in hospitals if no further action was taken. The situation is dire, Andre Chassaigne said after the meeting. “If we can’t flatten the curve, our hospitals won’t be able to treat patients in 15 days.” Prime Minister Castex tweeted that the new measures are essential.

Melbourne bars open after months of closure

00:10 am: In the Australian city of Melbourne, numerous people celebrated the reopening of bars after a month-long closure under special crown rules. The curfew in the metropolis was lifted at midnight on Wednesday. The state hardest hit by the pandemic, Victoria, had previously registered a “double donut”, meaning zero new infections and zero coronavirus-related deaths.

“We have waited a long time for this,” bar operator Greg Sanderson told AFP news agency. His bar was closed about 60 percent of the year. As soon as the authorities allowed the bar to open, he took reservations for a champagne party.

Victoria’s Prime Minister Daniel Andrews said visits to other homes are allowed for the first time in months. Beauty salons and retail stores may also welcome customers back. The fitness studios will be closed until November 8.

Based on numerous corona tests, the government has a fairly accurate idea of ​​how strong the virus is still in circulation, Andrews said. There are currently 87 active coronavirus cases and a handful of coronavirus patients in Victoria hospital. Melbourne is located in Victoria and is the second largest city in Australia with around five million inhabitants.

So far, there have been around 27,500 corona infections and 905 deaths in Australia with a population of 25 million.