AIn view of the further spread of the corona virus, Chancellor Angela Merkel (CDU), together with Federal Minister of Health Jens Spahn, spoke at the federal press conference on Wednesday. WELT summarizes the most important statements.
Merkel on how to deal with the coronavirus epidemic
Merkel described it as a central task in the corona crisis to curb the spread of the virus. “The virus has arrived in Europe, it is there, we all have to understand that,” said Merkel in Berlin on Wednesday. There is no therapy and no vaccine yet. 60 to 70 percent of the population could be infected, said Merkel, citing experts.
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The key now is “that we do not overload our health system”. The spread of the virus must be slowed down. “It doesn’t matter what we do, it’s not in vain, it’s not for nothing,” said Merkel. “So it’s about saving time.” It is important that all levels of government could work. It was not the worst if football games could not take place as usual.
However, the federal government refuses to close the German borders because of the corona epidemic. “In Germany, we believe that border closures are not an adequate answer to the challenges,” said Chancellor Angela Merkel (CDU) at the federal press conference in Berlin on Wednesday. Health Minister Jens Spahn (CDU) added: “Closing the borders across the board does not prevent what happens there.”
… solidarity in the crisis
Merkel also called for solidarity in the Corona crisis: “Our solidarity, our reason, our hearts have already been put to the test for each other, and I hope that we can pass this test.” The elderly and People with pre-existing conditions.
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German students in Italy – – – – –
Merkel also expressed German solidarity with EU partner Italy, which was particularly affected by the Corona crisis. The reports from there “depress us a lot,” she said in Berlin on Wednesday. Germany also thinks with great sympathy for the people in Italy and hopes that the strict measures taken there “will bring about a change for the better”.
… impact on the economy
Merkel announced decisive action by the federal government to cushion the economic consequences of the corona epidemic. “We will do what is necessary,” said Merkel on Wednesday in Berlin. It is crucial that Germany get through the situation well. Merkel spoke of an exceptional location. In the end you will see what that means for the household. The Chancellor thus held out the prospect of a possible relaxation of the “black zero” – this is a federal budget with no new debt. In this situation it could not be asked every day, “what does this mean for our deficit”.
The virus does not leave the economy without a trace, says Merkel. The federal government therefore acted quickly. It will provide liquidity support for companies later this week, in particular through the state development bank KfW. The EU heads of state and government had agreed to keep both the Stability and Growth Pact and the state aid rules flexible.
The Chancellor made it clear that Germany had tied the export of protective equipment to permits. However, this does not mean that nothing is exported anymore. “But we want to know that it is in the right hands, in the right places.”
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Merkel also called for coordinated action in Germany in the Corona crisis. “Federalism is not there to put responsibility away, but federalism is there for everyone to take responsibility in their place,” said Merkel in Berlin on Wednesday. All levels would do well to comply with recommendations from the Robert Koch Institute. Merkel said that all forces should now be used.
Compared to the financial crisis of 2008, the following applies: “We have to act with many more unknowns, so the situation is different.”
Liquidity commitments to small and medium-sized companies are important. This Friday, Finance Minister Olaf Scholz (SPD) and Economics Minister Peter Altmaier (CDU) would announce whether and how such grants would be increased again. For example, with hotels and restaurants, other areas are also affected than in the financial crisis. But economic life is fragile. Securing this “can only be done through coordination and international action”.
… everyday restrictions
Federal Minister of Health Jens Spahn (CDU) called on the population to prepare for further changes in their everyday lives. It is good that many events with more than 1000 visitors are now canceled, Spahn said in Berlin on Wednesday. He understands, for example, that many football fans are bleeding to death if they cannot go to the stadium. But the measures are currently necessary to slow the spread of the virus. And: “Everyone should ask themselves in the next three months whether a club visit is really necessary.”
Even if 80 percent of those infected showed mild to no symptoms and the risk of a serious illness was not high, especially for the younger ones, they shouldn’t think: “What do I have to do with it?” People would have to understand that everyone was in one piece Everyday life would have to be done “to protect yourself and to protect others,” said Spahn. This must be done carefully. Again and again people would have to ask themselves whether they could do without a concert or family visits.
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Corona cancellations – – – – –
Spahn was grateful that many companies switched to work from their home office. It is now crucial that there is a balance between cuts and renunciation on the one hand and a more extensive everyday life on the other.
Merkel gave her health minister Jens Spahn (both CDU) the full backing for his actions. “I think Jens Spahn is doing a great job right now, in a difficult situation,” she said. “I have complete confidence there.” There are very quick discussions and a “super exchange” between the two of them.
The Chancellor further recommended that the handshake as a welcome ritual should be avoided for the time being because of the risk of infection with the coronavirus. “Looking in the eye and smiling for a second longer, and not already having a hand with the next one, is also a good option,” said the CDU politician on Wednesday in Berlin.
Health Minister Jens Spahn said that he found it difficult to refrain from handshaking. “It is cultural deep within us, it is also good, it is a nice gesture. But maybe there is a time period when we reduce that a bit, (…) until we are through. “
Spahn again pointed out that mouthguards and disinfectants are “not necessary for home use” in order to avoid infection. It was enough to wash your hands with soap, he said.
In view of “hamster purchases” in the corona epidemic, Merkel called for “measure and middle”. The Chancellor said that a certain amount of stockpiling was also recommended by the Federal Office for Civil Protection and Disaster Relief. But she added: “Here too, measure and middle is the right answer.”
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Merkel also said that she considered a cancellation of the CDU party conference possible, in which a new party chairman should be elected in April. She pointed out that there was still time until the meeting of the 1001 delegates on April 25th. But if the situation was there, she could not imagine that the CDU would not abide by the rules.
According to the latest figures from the Robert Koch Institute, 1,296 are Germanswith the corona virusinfected. The first two confirmed deaths in Germany due to the corona virus were announced on Monday afternoon. The North Rhine-Westphalian Ministry of Health said that there was one person in Heinsberg and one in Essen.
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