Saturday 30th October 2021
“Certain carelessness”
Merkel worried about the number of infections and deaths
In the world, Chancellor Merkel has the reputation of having brought Germany through the corona pandemic well. In the last days of her term of office, however, she is more than concerned about the current development of the number of infections and speaks to the citizens of the conscience.
In view of the rising number of corona infections, Chancellor Angela Merkel has warned against careless handling of the pandemic. The current development “worries me very much,” said the outgoing Chancellor of the “Frankfurter Allgemeine Sonntagszeitung” and added: “It should cause us all worries.” At the moment, however, “a certain recklessness is spreading”.
The nationwide seven-day incidence of new corona infections has been rising steadily for two weeks. According to information from the Robert Koch Institute on Saturday morning, it was last at 145.1, the day before the value was 139.2, a week ago it was 100. The incidence indicates the number of new infections per 100,000 inhabitants within seven days . Because of the vaccinations that have been administered in the meantime, however, the incidence value is no longer as meaningful.
However, vaccination numbers have stagnated for a few weeks. The currently observed increase in vaccination speed is mainly due to the booster vaccinations. The number of first and second vaccinations administered, however, continues to decline or is stagnating. In Germany, 55.46 million people are now fully vaccinated, which corresponds to 66.7 percent. According to the Robert Koch Institute, in order to be able to contain the pandemic at all, a vaccination rate of 85 to 90 percent would be necessary for those over twelve – supplemented by booster vaccinations to counter the diminishing effect.
Merkel told the “FAS” that she was “sad” that “two or three million Germans over 60 are still unvaccinated”. Because that could “make a difference” for the people themselves as well as for society as a whole. It is therefore important to continue to advertise vaccination.
In the discussion about the professional footballer Joshua Kimmich, who did not get vaccinated, Merkel said that was his right. But she hope that Kimmich will reconsider his decision. “He is known as a very reflective footballer.”