Alexander Rahr: Why Germany is thinking about weakening of quarantine

Everyone is waiting for what will happen after April 19. It’s not exact, but only approximate date of the end of the quarantine, but nothing is yet heard that it was going to renew. Another thing is that the government is likely to go the way of gradual easing measures is unlikely to open the floodgates again. Otherwise we risk to negate the efforts of recent weeks to curb the epidemic. Mrs Merkel has already made it clear that the country will return to normal life step by step. I think the demands of social distancing will continue. If the 20th of April in Germany will open schools, their leadership will have to decide on a new format of learning. Perhaps students will sit in classes at least a meter away from each other. Likely to open some restaurants and supermarkets, but there will be a markup to the people keeping the distance. As for theatres, cinemas and discos, I don’t exclude that they will have to forget until August or even until September. In the meantime, the state will have to cope with the challenge more urgent. As you know, April 23 Muslims starts the Holy month of Ramadan, during which among the believers taken in the evenings to gather in homes for a joint night of the meal. Germany is home to multi-million Muslim community. Last Friday in Berlin’s neukölln district, the police had to interrupt the prayer in front of the local mosque, which brought together about three hundred believers. While the ban on public gatherings is in effect, but what to do next – is unclear.

the German Government will mitigate the quarantine gradually, otherwise there is a risk to undermine efforts to curb epidemic

In any case, the authorities do not intend to relinquish control of the spread of corona. Testing began to be used EN masse, so ill quickly caught and put on a rigid quarantine. Out the door – pay a fine of 5,000 euros. And it works. No wonder the main centers failed to arrest in areas near the border with Belgium (where people preserialize during carnival) and Austria, where in the ski resorts of the virus has been raging since the beginning of February, and from there penetrated into Bavaria and Baden-württemberg. In the East and in the Berlin epidemic of infection there. Medical services promise to make the tests more accessible, including for communes. Already earned a mobile app that in conjunction with all sorts of “smart” watches and bracelets will transfer the primary symptoms of SARS directly to the medical Institute Koch. I do not exclude that over time, the use of this app will become mandatory. In addition, during these two weeks Germany will provide masks, in which there will be no shortage. So we certainly have to continue to wear them in public.

Photo: China Daily via REUTERS In Germany, introduced a 12-hour day to combat coronavirus

This is an optimistic scenario of a weakening of austerity measures, but there are others. Now the media circulates leak the private expert report for the government on 17 pages. Its authors recommend authorities, say, localized heat is alarming, alarmist sentiments in society that people do not relax. For example, every step of the way to tell about the severe consequences of coronavirus not only in age but also in young patients. Or to emphasize the fact that the grandchildren can become the cause of death of their grandparents, cultivating in children a sense of guilt. Perhaps the authors believe that such “treatment” will help to cool the hot heads of the picnickers and “coronavirus parties.” In the end, to rescue the elderly all good. But even many doctors call this scaremongering is unnecessary.

In any case, life after quarantine will never be the same not because of some limitedtion will remain in the administrative, compulsory order, but because the people themselves got used to them. We have to admit that we were suddenly in almost Orwellian world. Of course, in the emotional plan the Germans are not easy these prohibitions are all looking forward to the first breaks. I see not only young people but also retirees in the parks that are not afraid of anything. But you can also see how familiar met by chance in the street, shunned each other – depart five meters long and try not to talk, now it is not accepted. The biggest surprise was people’s reaction to tough measures: 95 percent of residents of Germany supported them unconditionally. With unprecedented restriction of freedoms agreed by those who grew up in a liberal model while the curfew only knows from the movies.

Pandemic coronavirus has provoked the development of telemedicine in Germany

the grave consequences Of quarantine for the German economy just beginning to talk. The government intends to increase social spending by 200 percent, but where to get the money until the end is unclear. Not to mention the fact that now Germany will help hopes the South of Europe. But until we see a tremendous increase in the popularity of the ruling party, the Christian Democrats. Do not rule out that their rating will reach 40 percent. So suddenly Angela Merkel has once again become the most popular politician in the country, and there was talk that it would be nice for her to stay and after 2021. Of course, it’s just talk, but this type of “coronavirus effect” recently no one could have foreseen.