While they definitely have done better than the US and have at least in place health insurance for their citizens and pay 65-70% of their income even when to be at home, Germany is about to enter a very dark period in this story.
At first in March and the Spring, Germany had a lockdown and they were able to keep numbers low compared to the rest of Europe and certainly compared to the US. They had a mandatory mask regulation in all stores and public spaces that was mandated nation wide by law. The summer months were wonderful - beautiful weather and everyone was outside - dining at restaurants and bars and even going on vacation.
How do I know? Because I have been in Germany and came here to be safer than it was in US.
But that was then - this is now.
Germans got arrogant and somehow pandemic fatigue psychologically as is human nature. They too sadly have their “ Q” conspiracy theorists and those that call themselves “Querdenker”. (Sideways Thinkers) and these people think masks are a joke, that the government and doctors are conspiring and want to chip them and alter them with a genetic modify through vaccines, that Covid is no worse than the flu, etc...
In September, there was no official Oktoberfest but oh how the Bavarians and many Visitors celebrated going to large (over 100 persons) gatherings of Oktoberfest parties and in restaurants and close quarters with no mask as they drank and ate. And schools were opened and people went to bars and clubs and acted like life was normal and the rest of the world was suffering but Germany spared.
Well - now they are paying the price and the Germans haven’t even grasped quite yet how serious things are. The numbers are jumping. And even though on November 2nd Germany announced a “Lockdown Lite” for the month of November where schools remained opened and all restaurants and bars closed, Germans are still gathering despite warnings and there have been more and more protests in Berlin and Leipzig with the opponents of mask measures and lockdowns and the spread continues. Many are delusionally here thinking that next week the lockdown will be lifted but I predict it will not be and if anything even stricter measures will be implemented- assuming Merkel doesn’t have continued repudiation from the various Bundeslander (their state equivalents). But the situation is worse than Germans realize. And they really aren’t getting the message. When I walk down the street or bike, I always have my mask on. I have regularly been mocked randomly by people who say it’s more dangerous to breathe in CO2. I had someone tell me that Anthony Fauci and Bill Gates were behind this pandemic. My observations of the streets is only about 10% of the people are wearing masks outside when out and about on streets.
The rude and sad awakening will be coming soon to Germany and their dark winter coming. The Univ of Washington predicts that by March 1st Germany unless it takes extra measures and has 95% mask wearing and social distancing will have as many as 129,000+ dead. Half that if measures are taken. Still if right now on Nov 22nd Germany has approximately 14,000 dead over the course of 7 months and is about to jump in a matter of 3 months to such numbers, their hospital ICU resources cannot handle the load and their will be much suffering and sadness. Germans will be shocked and I assure you are not prepared emotionally and mentally for what is coming and it will be a very dark Winter - just as it is in many places and also in US.
So again - please do not sing the praises of Germany. This is false.
And as I write this, I am preparing to return to US to California. At least the Bay Area is doing better than the rest of California and the numbers have been level and it’s the only place exempt from the current state lockdown. But I will be safer there than Germany. I have a home with a garden and near nature where when I can go out safely I will walk in the Warmer weather than Germany. I plan to be alone and self quarantine initially and in general stay in and have minimal outside contact.
My hope and prayers will be that both Germany and the US (and rest of world) will be able to begin in the next few months the vaccinations and that maybe all these deniers and careless people will take care and mask up and stop spreading the virus and that we can all come out of a very dark and sad winter into a Spring with some light at the end of the tunnel.
But sadly there will be many dead in US....and yes....in Germany too...
Be safe everyone and stay healthy...
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