![]() ![]() Fuller shrugged off the idea that Germany and other nations reopened their economies too early. Germany was lauded during the first wave for its relatively low death rate, which some attributed to its strict restrictions on group gatherings, in spite of the fact that its official closures of activities like school and factories were more limited than in some other places. Fuller said during the Global Atlanta-led discussion sponsored by the law firm of Miller & Martin PLLC.Īnd in some ways necessary: Germany is a federal country where “she cannot just say, ‘ Bavaria do this, Hamburg do that.’ We have to find a consensus.” And we have to go through this.’ But I think it’s a wise approach,” Dr. “I have not experienced Chancellor Merkel so often making press statements and addressing the Germans as as a nation saying, ‘Please, this is our joint effort. Merkel said short-term cooperation meant a chance to “save Christmas.” In announcing the latest national measures, Ms. She attributed this partly to the scientific approach espoused from the beginning by Chancellor Angela Merkel, a trained physicist, who has also pleaded with people to wear masks and follow distancing guidelines. “I think for a government that is a quite comfortable majority to to to continue this path,” she said. 1.įor her part, German Consul General Heike Fuller acknowledged that a vocal minority has protested Germany’s own limited lockdown, but she cited a poll that said nearly 80 percent of Germans understand its necessity. The government said this week that the average had decreased by 16 percent since the restrictions were put in but that they would remain at least through Dec. France has logged 1.9 million total cases, the fourth highest total in the world. 9, the country saw a staggering 90,000 new cases of COVID-19. French officials initially set the lockdown to expire after a month, evaluating the situation every 15 days. Of course, treatment of COVID-19 has drastically improved, as has testing capacity. And the medical doctors tell us that it may be worse than the first wave,” he said. “Now I think every French person accepts the reality of the second wave. Hommeril said, adding that there has been little public resistance to the reinstatement of restrictions. European borders are open, even as France remains closed to non-European travelers, Mr. Elder care facility visits are allowed, as are elective medical procedures, unlike in the spring. Schools remain open, as do most companies. Travel between regions is banned, and a special passes are once again required to leave home.īut France is taking a more “human” tack to preserve the economy and people’s mental well-being, said Vincent Hommeril, consul general of France in Atlanta, during a virtual COVID Consular Conversation Nov 5. Citizens are required to stay home except for essential activities like work, exercise and grocery shopping. 28 ordered restaurants, bars and other public-facing businesses to close. With the virus running rampant, the government on Oct. The honeymoon ended this month as countries like France, Germany, Spain and the United Kingdom adopted fresh lockdowns to fight a steep rise in cases that has threatened to overwhelm hospitals, pushing death tolls up to levels not seen since May.įrance began in October by enacting curfews and bar closures in Paris and other hotspots before realizing this would not be enough to control the spread. During the summer, Europeans were prodded to return to somewhat normal activities, eating out and taking Mediterranean holidays. Over the last month, many European nations have seen per capita rates of infection eclipsing those of the U.S., which has been criticized globally for its relatively lax handling of the pandemic and Thursday recorded a record 160,000 cases in a single day.Īdding insult to injury was the fact that Europe had largely gotten things under control.Ĭase totals plummeted as a result of aggressive spring lockdowns that sent the continent’s economy into hibernation. The fact that Europe is facing a second wave of the coronavirus pandemic heading into the colder months is no surprise, but the speed of its resurgence has been uncanny. To watch the recording, buy an annual pass to Consular Conversations virtual events and 2021 luncheons for $40. ![]() The French and German consuls general in Atlanta joined Global Atlanta for a virtual conversation sponsored by Miller & Martin.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |