Europe search for a solution to stop the fast-rising tide of Coronavirus cases. Germany and France choose new partial lockdown as COVID19 hits Europeans. The second wave of COVID-19 has arrived. All EU member states are seeing similarly high rates of infection.
Cases are spiking in most European countries. Daily cases exceed the first peak of April-May period. The second wave has arrived in the northern hemisphere before winter. The virus is blamed for more than 250,000 deaths in Europe and about 227,000 in the US, according to the count kept by Johns Hopkins University. More than 2 million new confirmed coronavirus cases have been reported globally in the past week, the World Health Organization said. That is the shortest time ever for such an increase. Forty-six percent of the new cases were reported in Europe.
We must act, and now, to avoid an acute national health emergency.
Angela Merkel, German Chancellor
EU countries shut down public life for a month. The cost of a second lockdown is high. Financial markets do not accept these closures and public life limits but lockdown seems to be the only solution. “November will be a month of truth. The increasing numbers of infections are forcing us to take tough countermeasures in order to break the second wave,” Finance Minister Olaf Scholz said on Twitter. The resurgence and the growing clampdown sent a shudder through financial markets, and stocks slumped.
EU lockdown – New round of shutdowns
Europe is facing new round of shutdowns amid virus surge. Germany on Wednesday moved to shut down restaurants, bars and theaters all over again. French President Macron announced another nationwide lockdown. After a devastatingly lethal spring, Europe seemed to have beaten back the virus over the summer. Economists urge further restrictions need carefully calibration. Measures and lockdowns must avoid dealing a second severe blow to businesses.
We are all in the same position: overrun by a second wave which we know will be harder, more deadly than the first.
Emmanuel Macron, President of France
“The virus is circulating at a speed that not even the most pessimistic forecasts had anticipated,” Macron said. “Like all our neighbours, we are submerged by the sudden acceleration of the virus.” “We are deep in the second wave,” President Ursula von der Leyen said. “I think that this year’s Christmas will be a different Christmas.”
Santa Claus and the Magic of Christmas are in danger this year
COVID-19 Health Effects, Damages and Deaths
There is evidence that COVID-19 infection can lead to serious heart problems, which are currently being studied. Some people also experience damage to the kidneys, lungs and brain. There have also been reports of sudden deafness and “brain fog.”
In most countries, the number of deaths is lower than in the first wave for the moment. Deaths are also on the rise in Europe, with about a 35% spike from the previous week, the WHO said. France reported 523 virus-related deaths in 24 hours Tuesday, the highest daily count since April.
National lockdown and individual responsibility
The COVID19 outbreak reflects on the responsibility we all own. Public attitudes are in close contact with the management of the COVID-19 crisis. The COVID-19 pandemic is the most significant test of crisis management for generations, since the Second World War. The pandemic has required political leaders to make unprecedented decisions to control the spread of the virus.
“This time we have two enemies,” Ursula von der Leyen said said. “The coronavirus itself and corona fatigue, that is the growing weariness when it comes to the precautionary measures.”
Is Lockdown the only solution to defeat COVID-19 in Europe?
Ursula von der Leyen reply in this video.
Apart from partial lockdowns European Commission propose common tests and tracing. Ursula von der Leyen urged EU Member States to follow common rules on COVID19 test and trace its spread.
European Council President Charles Michel will chair an extraordinary Summit of EU leaders on Thursday evening focused on the pandemic.
