The number of confirmed cases exceeded 10 million, and the “blockade” of many European countries triggered a wave of protests

　　[Global Times Comprehensive Report] On November 1, local time, the new crown pneumonia epidemic in Europe passed another node-the number of confirmed cases exceeded 10 million.

It took 9 months from the announcement of the first confirmed case in Europe to the time when the number of confirmed cases reached 5 million, and it took only 5 weeks to increase from 5 million to 10 million.

It can be seen how fast the European cases are currently soaring.

In the face of a new wave of turbulent epidemics, many European countries have introduced new "blockade" or "semi-blockade" measures.

The scene of "closing the city" in spring is back, but now the social atmosphere is very different.

The combination of severe economic losses and "new crown fatigue" has led to huge controversy among the people about the "second blockade".

From Spain to Italy to Germany, protests and even riots against the "blockade" have occurred frequently in many places in Europe, and social unrest has intensified.

Another "blockade" is bound to hit the unrecovered economy, and the cost of not taking drastic measures will be even greater. For many European countries, this winter is a bit difficult.

　New cases account for half of the world

　　According to a Reuters report on the 2nd, the number of confirmed cases of new coronary pneumonia in Europe has doubled in the past five weeks, and the cumulative number of confirmed cases exceeded 10 million on the 1st, a "serious milestone."

After Latin America and Asia, Europe has become another continent with more than 10 million confirmed cases.

The United States is still the country with the largest cumulative number of confirmed cases, with more than 9.2 million cases, and the number of new infections is still increasing.

　　Some more specific figures indicate the severity of the current epidemic in Europe.

According to Reuters statistics, more than 1.6 million new cases have been reported in Europe in the past seven days, which is almost half of the 3.3 million new cases reported globally; the number of new deaths exceeds 16,100, an increase of 44% from the previous week.

Last Sunday, there were more than 46,000 confirmed cases in France, 23,000 in the UK, 29,000 in Italy, and 12,000 in Germany.

The European population accounts for 10% of the world's total population, and the cumulative confirmed cases account for approximately 22% of the 46.3 million confirmed cases worldwide.

As of the 2nd, there were more than 1.2 million deaths worldwide, of which about 270,000 deaths in Europe.

Hans Krüger, WHO Regional Director for Europe, recently stated that "Europe is once again at the epicenter of this pandemic."

　　Countries have taken actions under the turbulent epidemic.

The "Voice of Germany" reported that starting from November 2nd, Germany began to implement a one-month "foot ban."

The outside world described this as a "half-closed city", and the measures were milder than those in the spring: kindergartens and schools will continue to operate, and demonstrations and religious activities will still be allowed.

However, the German government hopes to minimize private social activities. The number of gatherings in public places is limited to two families, and the maximum number of participants should not exceed 10.

Restaurants and cafes must be closed, and only takeaways are available.

The cultural field will be hit hard again, and theaters, cinemas and concert halls must all close.

Swimming pools, gyms and other leisure facilities are also out of service.

　　The situation in other countries is similar.

On Saturday, British Prime Minister Johnson announced that England will implement a four-week "blockade" from November 5.

The BBC said on the 2nd that Johnson is expected to issue a warning to members of Congress soon: The number of deaths from new crown pneumonia this winter may be twice that of the first wave of the epidemic.

In order to win parliament’s support for the “blockade” measures, he stated in a statement that “there is no other choice”.

The Confederation of British Industry warned on the 2nd that another "blockade" would hit companies "destructively."

　　The French "blockade order", which began the second nationwide "cities closure" last Friday, was escalated again.

According to AFP, French Prime Minister Castel announced on the 1st that France will ban supermarkets and small shops from selling all "non-essential" goods from Tuesday.

Castel said the decision to impose strict restrictions was "heartbreaking" and he promised to support the affected companies.

Demonstrations and riots in many places

　　From Belgium to Austria, from Spain to Italy, large areas of Europe are in a state of "blockade" or "semi-blockade."

Agence France-Presse said on the 2nd that WHO Director-General Tan Desai self-isolated after contacting a confirmed infected person on the 1st, which further shows the threat of the new crown virus.

The new "blockade" measures have caused anger and disappointment on the European continent.

As the famous Bavarian Opera House in Munich, Germany is about to close, people's sadness is beyond words.

Male singer Michael Nagy couldn't hide his tears. He said, "This is a slap in the face."

　　Protest demonstrations and even riots have also occurred in many parts of Europe.

Following the clashes in Florence, there was another skirmish between protesters and the police in Rome, the Italian capital, during the weekend. The protesters threw Molotov cocktails at the police.

The Italian Minister of the Interior blamed the conflict on "violent marginal elements."

In the past week, large-scale protests have occurred in major cities such as Naples, Rome, Turin, and Milan. Many protests have gradually deteriorated and violent methods have gradually escalated, becoming "guerrilla warfare" between protesters and the police.

In Turin, some violent elements ransacked the merchandise in the brand store after smashed into the store.

Restaurant operators in Rome spilled expired beer on the square, protesting against curfew and other policies that caused huge economic losses.

　　Similar protests and conflicts also occurred in several cities in Spain and Prague, the Czech capital.

On Saturday, hundreds of people in Birmingham and Bournemouth respectively demonstrated against the second "blockade."

The European Political News Network said on the 1st that in Berlin, the police reported that on October 25, an arson attacked the Robert Koch Institute, the Federal Epidemic Advisory Agency.

On the same day, thousands of protesters marched against the restrictions imposed in the German capital.

　　"As European governments lose control of the epidemic, riots spread." The British "Guardian" said on the 1st that people on the European continent are facing serious economic difficulties and are exhausted physically and mentally.

People are increasingly skeptical that the government is capable of dealing with a crisis that destroys livelihoods and threatens their health.

An Italian reporter said: "People were told that things are going well and we are winning. But now their savings have been used up...People have begun to lose confidence in the ability of institutions to save them." The New York Times reported on the 1st. Give an example.

Fabiana, who works in the restaurant, just finished the protest.

She said that in March, she and millions of Italians sang "The sky is always bluer" on the balcony, "Now is different, there is no money."

Europe faces "two enemies"

　　German news television said on the 2nd that the new crown pneumonia epidemic and social disturbances are simultaneously causing a vicious circle.

The epidemic has worsened the economic crisis in Europe, with declining incomes, rising unemployment, and increasing protests.

In turn, the riots seriously affected the effectiveness of epidemic prevention.

According to the German "Economic Weekly", according to the estimates of the German Economic Research Institute, this one-month restriction will cause Germany's losses of 19.3 billion euros, and the economic losses suffered by the catering industry and hotels alone will be as high as 5.8 billion euros.

Restrictions have also had a serious impact on the job market. According to economists' calculations, 100,000 jobs will disappear in Germany in the fourth quarter of this year.

　　"The second wave of pandemic hit Europe, and social unrest has intensified." The European Political News Network said that the "blockade" measures have returned, but this time it is very different. Many people strongly oppose the restrictions.

European Commission President Von der Lein said last week: "This time we have to deal with two enemies: the new crown virus itself and the new crown fatigue." Clifford Stott, a professor of social psychology at the University of Kiel in Germany, said that economic issues are important to society. The impact is not the same, with the poor and young people suffering the most.

They realize that the situation will get worse and an environment more likely to conflict is taking shape.

　　This has also put greater pressure on European leaders.

Take British Prime Minister Johnson as an example. After he was diagnosed with the new crown virus at the end of March this year, his support rate was as high as 67%.

But now, polls show that more than 55% of Britons oppose his crisis management.

　　When Europe is facing difficulties, US President Trump took the opportunity to step on it.

According to CNN, Trump criticized European blockade measures at a campaign rally in Michigan on the 1st.

He said, “Europe has imposed a severe blockade, but the number of cases and deaths has increased sharply. This is cruel. Now they have to do it again. What are they doing?”

　　However, Europe's anti-epidemic performance is obviously much better than that of the United States.

Reuters said on the 2nd that in Europe, there are currently more than 127 cases of new coronavirus infection per 10,000 people, and about 4 people have died.

In the United States, 278 people out of every 10,000 people are infected with the new coronavirus and 7 people die.

"The Guardian" said that strict restrictions will cause harm, but it is necessary, otherwise the situation will be worse.

　　[Global Times Special Correspondent in Italy, Britain, Germany Ye Qi Sun Wei Aoki Wei Hui]