Chancellor Angela Merkel (65) sends a warm thanks from the home quarantine via audio podcast to everyone who shares the restrictions in the fight against the corona virus.
"So I greet everyone who now combines living and home office," says Merkel. You are not sick and still stay at home to be sure that you are not carrying the virus. And of course to protect others from any potential risk of infection. Even if it is not easy, you can still do a lot from home, which gives you courage. You can even conduct long negotiations by telephone and video conferences, "like I did in the European Council for over six hours," she says of her everyday work from her desk at home.
Praise and thanks to the "moving" citizens
Then the Chancellor summarizes the current situation again: "Last Sunday, the federal government and the states agreed on far-reaching guidelines. The new rules have reduced public life to a minimum in a few days for everyone. We have it for you appeals to your reason and your heart, "said Merkel.
Then she gives a big compliment: "When I see today how almost everyone has completely changed their behavior, how the vast majority of you really avoid any unnecessary contact, precisely because it can also involve a risk of infection, I would simply like to say : Thank you, wholeheartedly thank you, because you know what it is about, because you know that we can only steer our country together through a time of testing that nobody would have imagined can, "says Merkel.
The goal and the request
Angela Merkel also recalls the overarching, common goal: "Slow down the virus". Infections cannot be completely prevented, she knows, but "fewer new infections per day, less rapid spreading – we can and will have to do that in the near future". Because it could affect everyone: "There is a greater likelihood of developing this disease in old age, but also well under 60," she says.
"Keep following these rules strictly," is your urgent request. "As far as possible, avoid contacts outside the circle of people you live with. And when you're away from home, keep your distance – at least one and a half, better two meters," Merkel summarizes the social distancing rules again.
For how much longer?
How long should this go on? Merkel understands the impatience and worries, as she says. "As fast as never before and with as much money as never before," politicians have taken measures this week that "should give security and support" for companies, corporations, tenants, parents and hospitals. "We are mobilizing what we can to give our entire country security in this uncertain time," said Merkel.
But today nobody can say with a clear conscience that he knows how long this difficult time will last. "I have to ask you: be patient." The number of new infections every day still prevents the rules from relaxing. If the period of "doubling the new infections to around ten days" had decreased, the health system would not be overwhelmed. Today the number doubles "about every five and a half days". In the beginning it was "every two days", which is why she describes it as "already progress".
Since people are now prepared for contact and closeness, they too are looking forward to it again, "said Merkel regarding the end of the corona crisis. The Chancellor has been in quarantine since last weekend after contacting an infected doctor However, two tests carried out so far had been negative.