Germany and the Coronavirus: 13 March 2020

1.  Infection numbers: 2,369 (RKI data).  Deaths: 5.  Data as of late yesterday.  NRW is at the worst of the states: 688.  Bavaria at 500.

2. Chancellor Merkel's chat from last night?  First, she said that decreasing social interaction was more critical now.  She appeals to the public....all event of 1,000 or more....should be cancelled.  She stressed that schools and universities need to review their options....hinting that suspension of classes isn't a bad thing.

3.  The German policy of no-borrowing for the government (often referred to as the 'black zero') is up for debate. 

4.  Strong government suggestion going out that if you do not require surgery....then it should be put off.  Course, you could be talking about knee or hip replacement situations, and this surgery being pushed for 12 months into the future.

5.  A uniform materials/supply policy for the government is being openly discussed.  Shortages of medical items and medicines is a big question mark.  A lot of materials....were made in China.

6.  The Bavarian who died yesterday....was 80 years old.  It should be noted (via various news outlets) that he had health complications before the virus hit. 

7.  The Heinsburg gal who died on Thursday.....was 78 years old.

8.  The Baden-Wurttemberg guy who died on Thursday....was 67 years old.  So far....all of the Germans who have died within the country, have been over the age of 60.  The fireman from Hamburg who was vacationing in Egypt is the one exception to the list (he's not counted on the dead in Germany list). 

9.  Austria put out a public announcement that all Austrians who are out of the country.....should attempt to return shortly....hinting that serious air cancellations are on the horizon.

10.  Some news sites out of Iran are indicating mass grave sites are being dug, either in anticipation of more deaths coming, or to settle a shortage of current graves.

11.  Czech set up border-checkpoints with Germany.  If you are a German who has a residence in Czech.....you can proceed.  If you are a visiting German.....you will be denied entry.  Various EU members are starting this process and one might suspect that all of them are gearing up for a lock-down within the next week or two.  Slovakia is closing off it's border as well.

12.  Finally, some American scientist sat and reviewed data....then said that on stainless steel and plastic surfaces....this virus could survive up to 72 hours.  This probably will unnerve a lot of political folks.