Germany and Coronavrus (2 Mar 2020)

Several updates:

1.  The head of the Robert Koch Institute (highly regarded health unit in Germany)....says (via ARD TV) that risk of the virus is 'moderate'.  150 total infections within the country.  They are advising Germans who think they 'might' have the virus....to call the 116 number and get advice on which clinic in their region is conducting the tests.  Strongly emphasizing NOT to show up at clinics or emergency rooms.

2.  Strong comments by the German Health Minister (Spahn) NOT to close air travel to China.  He says it'd create a massive problem in that 30,000 Germans are currently in China.  They'd have to airlift them out, and it'd turn into a huge planning mess.

3.  Lot of German grocery operations are suggesting that the surge in sales (because of the virus worries) is comparable to Christmas week purchases.  Chief items being procured?  Canned goods, disinfectant, and toilet paper. 

4.  BMW says via N-TV News.....that one employee in the developmental area is confirmed with the virus.  The company has put all 150 employees in this group on house quarantine (2 weeks).  Disinfection team in the work area this week to ensure no issues.

5.    The SPD Party heath adviser is suggesting that massive testing take place.  He wasn't clear how this would work.  He is kinda suggesting that people have this as what they think is 'regular flu' and he suggests that you can't allow that perception to exist.  Hard to see how you'd handle the cost of this (200 Euro per test), if all 82-million Germans were tested every two weeks. 

6.  Lufthansa is saying a lot of the short-distance flights (Munich to Berlin for example, a 40 minute flight) are going to be cut.  They admit part of this is that the planes might be half-empty, and they don't want that perception to exist.  Number of flights being talked about?  Unknown at this point.  There are hourly flights normally from Berlin to Munich or Frankfurt to Hamburg.  They might be cutting half of them out.....if people aren't traveling that much.

7.  European Nike HQ's remains shut down (2nd day).  Located in Netherlands.