World Merkel Seeks to Rally Germans as Virus Death Toll Mounts

(Bloomberg) -- Chancellor Angela Merkel sought to rally citizens after Germany reported its worst run of coronavirus fatalities since the pandemic broke out.

© Photographer: Alexander Koerner/Getty Images Europe HANOVER, GERMANY - NOVEMBER 17: Workers from the German Red Cross (DRK) wear protective suits as they administer Covid-19 throat swabs at a drive-in coronavirus testing station during the second wave of the pandemic on November 17, 2020 in Hanover, Germany. Coronavirus infection rates in Germany, which surged to record highs in recent weeks, have begun to level, giving many hope that the infection plateau has been reached. Germany is currently in a four-week semi-lockdown. (Photo by Alexander Koerner/Getty Images)

“We have come a long way,” she said in her weekly podcast published on the government’s website, imploring people to wear masks and stick to social-distancing measures as cases mount. “Each and everyone one of us still has a role to play.”

German parliament probes intruder incident during virus vote

BERLIN (AP) — German parliamentary officials are investigating how people protesting against government lockdown measures were able to enter the Bundestag building and harangue lawmakers ahead of a crucial vote. Senior lawmakers planned to meet Thursday to examine claims that deputies from the far-right Alternative for Germany party used their credential to help a small number of protesters get through security. Video posted on social mediaSenior lawmakers planned to meet Thursday to examine claims that deputies from the far-right Alternative for Germany party used their credential to help a small number of protesters get through security.

A recent poll shows that Chancellor Angela Merkel 's conservatives have seen a spike in popularity as Germany battles the coronavirus pandemic. In times of great need, citizens tend to rally behind their governments. This happens in democracies, as well as in autocratic regimes.

(Bloomberg) -- Chancellor Angela Merkel urged Germans to do more to rein in the coronavirus to avoid the “worst-case scenario” of an overburdened health care system. Speaking in parliament Thursday after extending a partial lockdown until at least Dec.

Merkel’s comments come after coronavirus deaths exceeded 300 for a fifth day on Friday, the first time that’s happened since the disease reached Germany. The toll is another grim milestone after cases reported in Europe’s most-populous country exceeded 1 million on Thursday.

© Photographer: Alexander Koerner/Getty Images Europe HANOVER, GERMANY - NOVEMBER 17: Workers from the German Red Cross (DRK) wear protective suits as they administer Covid-19 throat swabs at a drive-in coronavirus testing station during the second wave of the pandemic on November 17, 2020 in Hanover, Germany. Coronavirus infection rates in Germany, which surged to record highs in recent weeks, have begun to level, giving many hope that the infection plateau has been reached. Germany is currently in a four-week semi-lockdown. (Photo by Alexander Koerner/Getty Images)

Merkel expressed sympathy to those who have died or lost people to the virus. “And we think of those who are this very hour fighting for their lives in our hospitals,” she added.

Thai students rally for educational and political reforms

BANGKOK (AP) — Secondary school students in Thailand's capital rallied Saturday for educational and political reforms, defying government threats to crack down with legal action against the country’s high-profile protest movement. The rally was called by a group that calls itself “Bad Students,” mocking their status as rebels against traditional school rules and authorities. Reflecting their light touch toward protest actions, they used props including people in dinosaur suits and oversize beach balls standing in for asteroids.

Chancellor Angela Merkel urged Germans to remain patient with restrictions meant to slow the spread of the coronavirus 20, Merkel said officials had sought with the measures to keep life as normal as possible while protecting people from the virus and ensuring hospital systems aren't overwhelmed.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel urged Germans to do more to rein in the pandemic as the nation saw a record daily jump in new cases and virus -related deaths Merkel also called on Europe’s ski resorts to close this winter to halt the spread of the illness. Elsewhere, London will avoid the toughest

Record Levels

Cases in Germany have more than tripled since the start of October, with the number of infected people in intensive care climbing to record levels.

Like other European nations, Germany has imposed stricter measures in recent weeks to stop the disease from spreading. Merkel and the leaders of Germany’s 16 states agreed Wednesday to tighten limits on private gatherings but kept schools and most businesses operating to help limit the impact on the economy.

In contrast to nations like France and the U.K., Germany’s curbs have yielded little progress in slowing the disease’s spread. The chancellor said this week that restrictions will remain in place until January, while her chief of staff raised the possibility of them being extended until March.

In her podcast, which also praised Germany’s communal efforts to combat the virus, Merkel said several vaccines “could be available within the foreseeable future.”

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