Yesterday, Chancellor Angela Merkel spoke to the nation.
A lot has happened since the corona virus began spreading, Merkel said.
At the beginning of the year, she said, we were still dealing with a completely unknown virus. "Today we know so much more about the paths of infection, about the possi…
Yesterday, Chancellor Angela Merkel spoke to the nation.
A lot has happened since the corona virus began spreading, Merkel said.
At the beginning of the year, she said, we were still dealing with a completely unknown virus. "Today we know so much more about the paths of infection, about the possibilities of protecting oneself, about symptoms and treatment options. Vaccines are being developed in record time. "We can assume that one or more vaccines will be available, not just sometime in the future, but in the foreseeable future.
This is due to the "great spirit of research" of the people, Merkel explained. "If this pandemic has anything good at all, it is this: It shows what we humans are capable of if we take our hearts in our hands, if we act with perseverance and creativity - and most importantly: if we work together across borders. But it is not only scientists who are in the game. "No, we can all do something. Each and every one of us can do something," said the Chancellor, referring to hygiene rules such as wearing masks, maintaining a safe distance and ventilation.
We recently reached the one million mark of Corona infections, 311,000 of which are active, and our death toll has now reached 15, 964. In a country of 80 million souls, these numbers are painful, but it could have been much worse.
Winter is nearly upon us and Merkel’s government has imposed new restrictions. They are not popular with everyone – we are all tired of this - and there are some who, as in the US, are actively protesting the measures as restrictions on personal freedom. But by and large, the people trust the government and are following the new rules.
No small part of whatever success Germany has experienced is due to Chancellor Merkel’s decision to square with the people, to tell them the hard truth. Trust isn’t built overnight, it takes time to develop and it takes courage to speak the truth, even when it isn’t pleasant to hear.
Americans have lived through four years of lies and self-dealing. The people are wary of trusting the government and many have turned to other sources for “alternative facts”. The incoming Administration has its work cut out for it but I am hopeful, even confident, that if they speak the truth consistently, and act to better the lives of all the people, that trust can be earned and the nation can begin to move forward united.
"Mutter" Merkel is unfortunately only going to be with us for a few more months as she will step down next year. Her replacement is far from certain as "Mutter's" preferred candidate showed herself to be a "non-starter! It's not sure which way the balance is going to go in the ruling Conservative party....towards Bavaria and the Hard Right or more liberal, pro-europe etc northerner. We'll see.
We will indeed. I am going to miss here. As long as I have lived in Germany, she has been Chancellor. She is a tough act to follow in Germany, and in Europe more broadly.
It is early Sunday morning here in Germany.
Yesterday, Chancellor Angela Merkel spoke to the nation.
A lot has happened since the corona virus began spreading, Merkel said.
At the beginning of the year, she said, we were still dealing with a completely unknown virus. "Today we know so much more about the paths of infection, about the possibilities of protecting oneself, about symptoms and treatment options. Vaccines are being developed in record time. "We can assume that one or more vaccines will be available, not just sometime in the future, but in the foreseeable future.
This is due to the "great spirit of research" of the people, Merkel explained. "If this pandemic has anything good at all, it is this: It shows what we humans are capable of if we take our hearts in our hands, if we act with perseverance and creativity - and most importantly: if we work together across borders. But it is not only scientists who are in the game. "No, we can all do something. Each and every one of us can do something," said the Chancellor, referring to hygiene rules such as wearing masks, maintaining a safe distance and ventilation.
We recently reached the one million mark of Corona infections, 311,000 of which are active, and our death toll has now reached 15, 964. In a country of 80 million souls, these numbers are painful, but it could have been much worse.
Winter is nearly upon us and Merkel’s government has imposed new restrictions. They are not popular with everyone – we are all tired of this - and there are some who, as in the US, are actively protesting the measures as restrictions on personal freedom. But by and large, the people trust the government and are following the new rules.
No small part of whatever success Germany has experienced is due to Chancellor Merkel’s decision to square with the people, to tell them the hard truth. Trust isn’t built overnight, it takes time to develop and it takes courage to speak the truth, even when it isn’t pleasant to hear.
Americans have lived through four years of lies and self-dealing. The people are wary of trusting the government and many have turned to other sources for “alternative facts”. The incoming Administration has its work cut out for it but I am hopeful, even confident, that if they speak the truth consistently, and act to better the lives of all the people, that trust can be earned and the nation can begin to move forward united.
She has been my leader of the free world for years now, and I thank you very much for passing along her message to me. ❤️🤍💙
"Mutter" Merkel is unfortunately only going to be with us for a few more months as she will step down next year. Her replacement is far from certain as "Mutter's" preferred candidate showed herself to be a "non-starter! It's not sure which way the balance is going to go in the ruling Conservative party....towards Bavaria and the Hard Right or more liberal, pro-europe etc northerner. We'll see.
We will indeed. I am going to miss here. As long as I have lived in Germany, she has been Chancellor. She is a tough act to follow in Germany, and in Europe more broadly.
I, too, will miss her. She has been a stabilizing force in a world that feels as if it has collectively gone mad. And I worry about her successor.