Corona: Merkel warns of mutation - "We act out of precaution"

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Chancellor Angela Merkel chose words of concern.

"We are in a very difficult phase of the pandemic," she said during her appearance at the federal press conference on Thursday.

The Chancellor presented her “analysis of the situation” there - and referred to a “mixed picture”.

On the one hand, the number of new infections and Covid patients in the intensive care units would decrease.

“The tough cuts are starting to pay off.

It's worth the effort, ”stressed Merkel.

The aim remains to avoid overloading the health system.

And you can't wait until the intensive care units are full, because then it's too late.

On the other hand, the danger from the mutation from Great Britain remains.

According to Merkel, scientific findings indicate that this is much more contagious and is considered the main cause of the explosion of new infections in Great Britain - a position that not all scientists share, however.

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Epidemiologists like Klaus Stöhr deny this theory.

Rather, they assume that the number of contacts in the period before Christmas was too high, when Ireland, for example, allowed major easing.

Nevertheless: The danger must be taken very seriously, said Merkel, without going into divergent theories.

"We have to slow the spread as quickly as possible, not just when it is too late and the numbers are already high".

Have to "come into a better season"

Preventive action is currently the guiding principle.

"We act out of precaution for our country".

This is also how all preventive measures decided on Tuesday at the federal-state summit - such as the obligation to wear medical masks.

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The mutated virus is now there, you can not get it away, only slow the spread "to get into a better season".

Then the weather is a little better and the vaccination campaign is more advanced.

That is the "underlying consideration", emphasized the Chancellor - and added: "You have to see whether this succeeds".

How much vaccine the European Union ordered is ultimately irrelevant.

It's all about how many cans can be delivered.

According to this, Germany will not have enough vaccine until the third quarter of the year to establish herd immunity in the population.

"By the end of summer, on September 21st, we can have made every citizen a vaccine offer".

Corona is a catastrophe of the century

Merkel emphasized: "This pandemic is a catastrophe of the century, in the sense of a natural disaster".

She is rightly perceived by everyone as an imposition, is also emotionally difficult for her.

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If there is annoyance among the citizens, it has to do with the fact that in politics, at the federal and state levels, people speak with different voices.

But she appreciates the cooperation with the Prime Minister, even if it is rarely easy.

When asked about nationwide curfews, Merkel referred to the federal states.

These would decide that they already exist in areas with a very high incidence, in Bavaria, Saxony and Baden-Württemberg.

Because of the different incidences, there is therefore “no nationwide uniform situation” when it comes to curfew.

One question also dealt with the usefulness of the 50s incidence per 100,000 inhabitants as a benchmark.

Merkel explained the background to this number: From such an incidence (or lower), the health authorities are able to track and monitor the infection process in detail.

This is the only reason for the focus on this number.

But then it would also be easier to initiate openings again because the pandemic could then be controlled through more targeted measures without a far-reaching lockdown.

The Chancellor emphasized that daycare centers and schools should have priority when openings are made.

This is "politically completely undisputed".

For “practical reasons”, the hairdressers should then be allowed to reopen as a priority.

It was Merkel's fourth appearance before the federal press conference since the beginning of the corona pandemic.

Shortly before the start of the press conference at "Phoenix", FDP leader Christian Lindner criticized the fact that Merkel did not declare herself to parliament, but appeared in front of journalists.

"She chose the wrong forum".

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