Merkel's Covid-19 wake-up speech 1
On the evening of March 18, in a rare speech on national television, German Prime Minister Angela Merkel urged all people to be aware of the risks and dangers brought by the Covid-19 pandemic, and at the same time
German Prime Minister Angela Merkel spoke on national television on the evening of March 18 about Covid-19.
`The situation is very serious. Let’s take this seriously. Since German reunification, no, since World War II, there has been no national challenge that requires such a level of concerted and unified action.`
Unlike Italy, France or Spain, Germany has not yet imposed a nationwide blockade.
Merkel wants the German people to strictly comply with the measures proposed by the government, affirming that the success or failure of the fight to repel Covid-19 depends on each person completing their duties.
`I believe we will succeed with the task ahead, as long as all people in this country understand that this is also your task,` she asserted.
Merkel’s Covid-19 wake-up speech
Previously, health experts warned that the number of nCoV infections in Germany could reach 10 million in the coming months if people did not follow the government’s measures to slow the spread of the epidemic.
This is the first time in nearly 15 years in power that Merkel has made a live, unscheduled speech to the people of the country.
`Today I speak to you in an unusual way, because I want to make it clear how I personally, as prime minister, as well as all members of the cabinet, act these days. We want to
`Restrictive measures should only be introduced when they are absolutely necessary. In a democracy, they should not be applied arbitrarily and should only be temporary. But now, they are absolutely necessary to save lives.`
As in previous statements about nCoV, Merkel continued to promote the need for `community isolation` measures.
Prime Minister Merkel thanked the efforts of medical experts and supermarket staff, and reassured people that stores would never lack food.
She also emphasized that Germany `needs to do whatever it takes` to bring the economy and business activities back to normal.
A German police officer stands guard at the vehicle control area between the city of Kehl, Germany and Strasbourg, France on March 12.
As the number of infections continues to increase every day, Merkel calls this an `urgent situation`, affirming that the government will `continue to learn so that we can change the strategy at any time and take many steps.`
NTV television channel and many German newspapers called Prime Minister Merkel’s speech a `final warning` to avoid a forced blockade scenario.
According to commentator Martin Muno from DW, Prime Minister Merkel is always careful when choosing words.
In an age of fake news and the rise of populist leaders, Merkel’s scientist-like approach is almost out of date.
Covid-19 marks the first time in more than 70 years of Germany’s post-war history that people have faced a crisis that threatens to destroy the national social fabric.
`She acted as if a doctor was giving a patient a prescription but at the same time made it clear that things would get worse if they didn’t take the medicine,` Sarcinelli said.
Meanwhile, British historian and author Timothy Garton Ash called Chancellor Merkel’s speech `a lesson in democracy, solidarity and individual responsibility presented with strength, clarity and
`That’s leadership. That’s Angela Merkel. That’s crisis communication. Transparent, empathetic and encouraging, Merkel’s speech summed up everything,` former Finnish prime minister Alexander Stubb
