Coronavirus: Germany enters partial lockdown – DW – 11/02/2020
UK's Boris Johnson and Germany's Angela Merkel have defended new lockdowns in their countries and urged the public to cooperate and help bring down the rapidly rising infection rates. Follow DW for the latest.
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Germany's health minister has called for a "national effort" as the country begins a partial shutdown. Meanwhile, the WHO chief has gone into isolation after contact with an infected person. Follow DW for the latest.
Germany began a monthlong partial lockdown on Monday as part of efforts to curb the momentum of the coronavirus that has infected half a million people across the country.
As the new lockdown came into force, the Robert Koch Institute for infectious diseases announced a drop in cases, with just over 12,000 new infections, though the figure is often lower on the first day of the week as not all health authorities report on the weekend.
Infections of COVID-19 have been increasing sharply in recent weeks, with record caseloads becoming the norm, and Chancellor Angela Merkel has introduced stringent measures on public life as a result.
Some have described the lockdown as a lighter version of the one seen in the spring, as schools and shops will remain open, churches will be allowed to hold services and protests will not be banned. Nevertheless, all restaurants and bars will be closed, meetings in public will be restricted to just two households and all recreational centers, such as pools and gyms, will be shut.
State and federal leaders will meet again in 10 days to assess if the new measures need to be tightened further still or whether they may be eased in December, depending on the rate of infections.
Read more: Coronavirus: Merkel promises to shore up German economy
German Health Minister Jens Spahn urged citizens to significantly reduce their contacts in order to deal appropriately with the "situation of the century" and that a "national effort in November" is required, he told public broadcaster ZDF.
Meanwhile, World Health Organization Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus is going into isolation for at least a few days after he revealed he had been in close proximity of someone who has since tested positive.
"I have been identified as a contact of someone who has tested positive for #COVID19. I am well and without symptoms but will self-quarantine over the coming days, in line with WHO protocols, and work from home," Tedros said in a tweet.
Europe
Prince William contracted the coronavirus in April but did not announce it publicly for fear of worrying people.
The heir to the throne in the UK had struggled to breathe due to the virus, according to a report in the British tabloid the Sun, and corroborated by the BBC.
He contracted the virus around the same time as his father, Prince Charles, was confirmed to have it.
Slovakia tested millions of citizens over the weekend in an effort to stamp out the virus by conducting mass checks.
Defense Minister Jaroslav Nad said that 2.58 million Slovaks took the test on Saturday, and 25,850, or 1%, tested positive and must go into quarantine.
The scheme, a first in a country of comparable size, is being closely monitored by other nations looking for ways to stem the spread of the virus and avoid overwhelming their health systems.
The testing was free and voluntary, but the government will impose a lockdown on those who do not participate, including a
ban on going to work.
Machu Picchu in Peru has reopened after almost eight months without receiving visitors due to the pandemic.
The Inca citadel will allow 675 tourists a day for social distancing purposes, a figure that would normally be nearer 3,000 pre-pandemic.
US President Donald Trump has criticized several European countries for announcing "draconian" lockdowns as his reelection campaign enters its final straight.
Speaking at a campaign rally in Michigan, he warned voters that his Democratic rival Joe Biden would mimic those tough measures.
Ryanair cuts flights over new COVID-19 restrictions
Ryanair DAC stated on Monday it will reduce the airline's number of flights by 20% in September and October due to low flight-booking over the last ten days.The decision comes after multiple EU countries have re-introduced strict measures to battle a new spread of the coronavirus. Ireland, Spain, France and Sweden are among the countries that will be affected by the changes in the flight schedule.
The airline criticized the Irish government's decision to restrict the movement of all on-arrivals for two weeks and showed support for German and Italian policy, describing it as a "realistic and proportionate method of supervising safe intra-EU travel."
Black Americans Hesitant On Vaccine
Z-Hedge 11-1-20
Many researchers and experts around the world are in agreement that a safe, effective and cheap COVID-19 vaccine is still months away. Still, that isn’t stopping politicians from pressuring vaccine makers, misinformation from spreading across social media and the digital realm, and Kamala Harris casting doubt on any vaccine under Trump.
In fact, as Statista's Willem Roper points out, new data shows how the public is growing more skeptical of a potential vaccine, and how that skepticism is being amplified within Black communities in the country.
According to a joint survey from the Kaiser Family Foundation and The Undefeated, 49 percent of Black respondents said they either probably won’t or definitely won’t get a COVID-19 vaccine even if it was deemed safe by scientists and provided for free. That’s a large discrepancy when compared to Hispanic and white respondents, with 37 percent and 33 percent, respectively, saying they probably or definitely won’t take the vaccine.
You will find more infographics at Statista
The survey and writers with The Undefeated focus on Black American’s distrust with the current health care system, as well as with politicians in charge of informing people on vaccine plans. The survey goes on to show how 46 percent of Black parents say the pandemic has had a major impact on the ability to afford basic necessities, with a third of Black parents saying the pandemic has had a major negative impact on the ability to care for their children
From California, I expected no less the last minute push of wishful thinking.
Stanford study finds Trump rallies caused over 30,000 COVID cases, led to over 700 deaths
STANFORD, Calif. - According to a new study from Stanford University, President Donald Trump's campaign rallies have led to over 30,000 confirmed COVID-19 cases and likely caused the death of 700 Americans.
SF Chinese New Year Parade canceled in 2021
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INFO - It is unlikely that the #reconfinement [less restrictive] is enough to regain control of the epidemic by Christmas according to documents published by the scientific council. (The world)
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Proof that people are laughing at us: In the note from the Scientific Council of October 26, it is written that confinement was spreading the virus! I'll give you a screenshot and you can check it yourself on page 9!https://solidarites-sante.gouv.fr/IMG/pdf/note_c
A shopkeeper calls the Elysee to warn Macron that small traders will enter into resistance. #Confinement#Reconfinement