1. Has the new Infection Act passed through and been made into law?
No. The Bundestag didn't have much trouble passing it, but it has to go to the Federal Council (made up of the sixteen states), and there.....the CDU has a major say in matters. The CDU (Merkel's party) isn't that thrilled over the wording and has mounted a fair amount of criticism. But most everyone thinks this coming week....it'll pass.
2. Is there a shortage of BionTech vaccine?
No, but we have this interesting development. Private/public doctors (not the vaccination centers) are preferring BionTech. The gov't has a significant amount of Moderna.....which isn't being requested much. So the Health Minister is 'forcing' doctors into taking the Moderna before it expires. Public frustration? I'll just say it this way....BionTech is treated like a Mercedes sports car, and Moderna is kinda like an Opel....in terms of public acceptance.
3. Is the nightly news via ARD/ZDF (public networks) consumed with Covid news?
On the 8 PM/ARD 15-minute news.....it's probably taking up 8 minutes of the 15 minutes. It's been that way for at least four weeks.
4. Is there now a rehab (Kur) for anxiety-stricken/panic attack folks, over Covid?
Well....last night via ZDF, they had a second news report over this new trend. There are Germans who haven't had Covid, but have developed panic attacks over chatter involving Covid. Doctors have decided it's bad enough to send the guy/gal off to some Kur-wellness hotel, and get them 3 weeks of mental therapy.
I would say this....between newspapers, the various news outlets, social media, and chatter at the office....Germans are getting a good four hours of Covid 'this-and-that', daily. As bad as it was in November-December of 2020....it's twice that bad today.
The people who were being interviewed for the anxiety-over-Covid were adults and readily admitted they were emotionally harmed by the cascading chatter each day. I generally kids to be in this type of situation by spring, and a national problem over panic attacks being openly discussed.
5. What's the leadership situation of the CDU Party right now?
Merkel is gone, and Laschet resigned? Well....there's a party meeting coming up and three folks in the running to be the party 'boss'.
Listed? Friedrich Merz (generally disliked by pro-Merkel folks). Helge Braun (was the former chief of staff for Merkel, and liked by pro-Merkel folks). Norbert Röttgen (the intellectual of intellectuals, likely to be least of favorites). Merz having a slight edge? Merz is an expert on commerce, economics, and capitalism. Braun is what I'd call 'Merkel-lite' and just a likeable guy.
Upon a win, this person carries the party up to 2025. Anyone's guess if they might be the candidate to run in that election.
6. How much daily chatter goes on for compulsory vaccinations?
Over an average day, via radio, internet, and TV news.....it's mentioned at least several times a day. They generally cite the newest poll where 60 to 70 percent of the people polled think it should be done.
Does the Constitution allow such a mandate? Not really. You'd have to go there first....to modify things, then go for a mandate. Odds of this? I'd put it near zero.
No comments:
Post a Comment