The corona crisis is nerve-wracking. Politics does not make it easier for citizens – confusing different signals come from the federal states.
- The spread of the Corona virus* in Germany continues to slow down – but the crisis is not over.
- After the first easing* The federal states are now sending very different signals.
- A guide through reporting on the Corona crisis as well a map with current case numbers offers Merkur.de *.
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Update from April 19, 2020: The compromise between the federal government and the federal states to continue dealing with easing in the Corona crisis is only a few days old – and now there is a manageable patchwork of regulations. The federal states in particular are striving in very different directions (see below).
Federal Minister of Economics Peter Altmaier has therefore now called for more unity. “We must not run around like a heap of chickens and alternately outdo each other with tightening and loosening,” warned the CDU politician in the Picture on Sunday. “If we keep our nerve now, we can avoid a second lockdown. That is why joint action by the federal and state governments is so important. “
From this Monday, small and medium-sized businesses can reopen in many places. In Saxony, a mask requirement applies to buses, trains and shops from Monday. At the same time, the state government is once again allowing public services that are prohibited elsewhere. It has now become known that there was a small scandal in the video call from the federal and state governments on Wednesday – the focus NRW Prime Minister Armin Laschet. He is now making further demands.
Corona chaos? Two federal states dare to go it alone – another is already thinking of concerts
Kiel / Dresden – The situation is unusual to threatening, for many people – for example parents – also grueling in the country: has been around for a month Germany in the corona shutdown. thousands of people have died since the epidemic began, Inner cities are swept clean, numerous entrepreneurs fear for their existence.
And at the same time the cup of the very big one went Virus disaster at least past the Federal Republic again. The clinics were not overwhelmed. Perhaps because the worst is yet to come: The pandemic, experts emphasize, is still at the very beginning.
It would not seem an exaggeration to say that the country is in the potentially deadly dilemma. Between health protection and saving the economy, between caution and hope – and currently also between discipline and the first feelings of spring. A conflict that is increasingly evident in the actions of Germany’s top politicians shows.
Corona virus: From Merkel to Spahn – Confusing signals from politics
Had long Chancellor Angela Merkel (CDU) and also the Prime Ministers remained silent. Now there has been movement in the debate. After appearances by Chancellor Angela Merkel, Health Minister Jens Spahn, from the differently polarized Corona pioneers Armin Laschet (all CDU) and Markus Söder (CSU), according to new data from RKI boss Lothar Wieler, the country now knows at least: the situation has improved, the ominous number R has decreased, first easing for business, and in Bavaria, which has been particularly strict to date, for the population, are on the way.
But after long weeks of guesswork about the next small steps, all statements from politics have a special weight. And – despite praise from the USA – the federal states are now threatening to take very different paths. More confusion threatens. Is fast recovery approaching now? Or is it going to be an even tougher time, as feared by Bavaria’s deputy prime minister Hubert Aiwanger (free voters)?
Corona: Saxony is tightening corona rules – in the north you think of concerts
The first go it alone on Friday Saxony daring. The country of Prime Minister Michael Kretschmer (CDU) introduced a mask requirement. The regulation will apply from Monday, said Kretschmer after a meeting of the State Cabinet in Dresden. It does not have to be expensive to cover the nose and mouth FFP2 mask the head of government emphasized that a simple cloth or a scarf would suffice. It followed later in the evening Mecklenburg-West Pomerania with a similar rule.
Michael Kretschmer (left) and Daniel Günther in the Federal Council.
© picture alliance / dpa / Kay Nietfeld
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At the other end of the escalation scale is Schleswig-Holstein. The country, which is also led by the CDU, announced its own ordinance – which will regulate how events from May 4 to August 31 can be made possible. “Large events”, those with more than 1,000 participants remain prohibited, explained Prime Minister Daniel Günther. That there should now be short-term rules “for concerts, theatrical performances and sporting events”, such as the NDR reports, allows very concrete hopes for a piece of “normality”.
Corona virus in Germany: is summer leaves coming? Söder also appears to be optimistic
Apart from these two extremes, there is plenty of room for speculation. Bavarian Prime Minister Markus Söder is actually considered Hardliner when it comes to corona protective measures. Only this week was the Bavaria allowed to meet people outside the home of their household outdoors. But when it comes to tourism – an important field for the Free State – Söder is also fueling hopes.
In the subordinate clause the prophesied CSU chief a summer run to holiday destinations in Germany. A scenario that actually seems quite far away at the moment. Here Söder is obviously more on the Schleswig-Holstein line. Office colleague Günther told the NDR that there were considerations between the federal and state governments to enable tourist “summer business”. A “three-stage plan” is apparently already being worked on in Germany’s northernmost state.
Coronavirus: federal states on a conflict course? Spahn remains calm
The Federal government appears calm for the time being. It was agreed on Wednesday with the Prime Minister on a mask requirement, emphasized Health Minister Jens Spahn (CDU). “The fact that there are now individual deviations, as we have already seen in some cities, is always part of the federal debate,” he said on Friday in Hamburg.
How serious the situation is and how quickly recovery is possible is initially left to free interpretation. Chancellor Angela Merkel spoke of a “fragile interim success” on Wednesday. Spahn on Friday of a “manageable” virus – a potentially serious formulation, as commented by Merkur.de *.
Meanwhile, hope could be astonishing numbers from Jena – where a long time Mouth protection obligation applies – and have potential success in the search for a Covid-19 drug. At the same time, there is no shortage Warnings. That the federal government apparently primarily wants to rely on an app ensures concern on the net. And the SPD health expert Karl Lauterbach warns of a “severe second wave”. The doctor renewed his warning on Friday.
If 98% of Germans still have the corona infection before them, it is clear that “many unnoticed cases are already immune” is wishful thinking. That shows how long we have to behave differently, just now beginning. Only 1-2% infected and already over 4000 dead https://t.co/uuKT5TLrTi
– Karl Lauterbach (@Karl_Lauterbach) April 17, 2020
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Corona virus in Germany: Confusion also in the economy – Karstadt Kaufhof complains
The situation on other fronts is also confusing. Which shops are allowed to open in Germany and which not, is increasingly becoming a patchwork: according to the new requirements of the federal and state governments, business with one Area of up to 800 square meters open again from Monday, bigger ones not – with the exception of bookstores, bike shops and car dealerships. This is hoped for a bit more normalcy without the city centers overflowing directly.
The judiciary must now bring some clarity to the jungle of rules: The Department store chain Galeria Karstadt Kaufhof With around 170 locations nationwide and more than 28,000 employees, it does not want to accept that its doors should remain closed – it complains.
fn (with material from dpa)
* Merkur.de is part of the nationwide Ippen-Digital editors network.
List of rubric lists: © picture alliance / dpa / Kay Nietfeld
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