THE NEW YORK TIMES: In a bid to bolster vaccinations among older people, the prime minister of Greece announced on Tuesday that Covid shots would be obligatory for people ages 60 or older, and that those who failed to book a first shot by Jan. 16 would face fines.
Τhe move came as the Greek health authorities try to curb a spike in coronavirus cases and deaths, while bracing for the possible effect of the Omicron variant.
About 500,000 people in Greece ages 60 or older have yet to be vaccinated against Covid-19, Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis told a cabinet meeting. Those who fail to meet the deadline will face a monthly fine of 100 euros ($113), the revenue from which will go toward funding state hospitals that have been stretched by the pandemic, he said.
Describing the policy as “an act of justice for the vaccinated,” Mr. Mitsotakis said he had worried about penalizing people but hoped they would see the move as an act of “encouragement, not repression.” » | Niki Kitsantonis | Tuesday, November 30, 2021
Showing posts with label Coronavirus. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Coronavirus. Show all posts
Tuesday, November 30, 2021
Saturday, November 27, 2021
Boris Johnson Tightens Rules on Travel and Mask-wearing over Omicron Concerns
THE GUARDIAN: Travellers to UK must take PCR tests and masks to be made mandatory in shops and on public transport
Boris Johnson has announced fresh measures to curb the spread of coronavirus including mandatory masks in shops and PCR tests for travellers entering the UK after two cases of the Omicron variant were detected in the country.
Amid mounting global concern over Omicron, named a “variant of concern” by the World Health Organization on Friday, the prime minister set out a series of steps the UK is taking to maximise its defence against Covid-19.
Speaking at a Downing Street press conference, Johnson said anyone arriving in the UK will be asked to take a PCR test for Covid-19 on the second day and must self-isolate until they provide a negative test. The rules on face coverings in shops and on public transport will also be tightened, he said.
Contacts of all confirmed cases of people infected with the Omicron variant will have to self-isolate for 10 days. Health officials are also examining the case for widening access to the booster vaccine programme, he added.
The measures will be reviewed in three weeks. With video » | Andrew Gregory | Saturday, November 27, 2021
Covid-19: la présence du variant Omicron se confirme en Europe : LE POINT SUR LA SITUATION - Nouvelles mesures, nouveaux bilans et faits marquants: un point sur les dernières évolutions de la pandémie de Covid-19 dans le monde. »
Boris Johnson has announced fresh measures to curb the spread of coronavirus including mandatory masks in shops and PCR tests for travellers entering the UK after two cases of the Omicron variant were detected in the country.
Amid mounting global concern over Omicron, named a “variant of concern” by the World Health Organization on Friday, the prime minister set out a series of steps the UK is taking to maximise its defence against Covid-19.
Speaking at a Downing Street press conference, Johnson said anyone arriving in the UK will be asked to take a PCR test for Covid-19 on the second day and must self-isolate until they provide a negative test. The rules on face coverings in shops and on public transport will also be tightened, he said.
Contacts of all confirmed cases of people infected with the Omicron variant will have to self-isolate for 10 days. Health officials are also examining the case for widening access to the booster vaccine programme, he added.
The measures will be reviewed in three weeks. With video » | Andrew Gregory | Saturday, November 27, 2021
Covid-19: la présence du variant Omicron se confirme en Europe : LE POINT SUR LA SITUATION - Nouvelles mesures, nouveaux bilans et faits marquants: un point sur les dernières évolutions de la pandémie de Covid-19 dans le monde. »
In kaum einem Land ist die Impfquote so hoch wie in Portugal – trotzdem verhängt das Land jetzt neue Einschränkungen
NEUE ZÜRCHER ZEITUNG Trotz erfolgreicher Impfkampagne beschliesst Portugal prophylaktisch eine Art Ausnahmezustand. Nach Silvester soll das soziale Leben eine Woche lang fast gänzlich stillstehen. Hinter dem Schritt dürfte auch wahltaktisches Kalkül stecken.
Die Portugiesen gelten bei der Impfkampagne als Musterschüler Europas. Fast 88 Prozent der Gesamtbevölkerung sind vollständig gegen das Coronavirus geimpft – so viele wie in kaum einem anderen Land. Portugals amtierender Ministerpräsident António Costa lässt daher auch keine Gelegenheit aus, das exemplarische Verhalten seiner Landsleute zu loben. Diese zeichneten sich durch hohes Verantwortungsbewusstsein aus, sagte der 60-Jährige am Ende einer Ministerratssitzung am Donnerstag. Dank der hohen Impfquote gebe es weniger Einlieferungen in Kliniken und Intensivstationen und vor allem weniger Tote. Trotzdem hat Costa nun beschlossen, wieder einen nationalen Notstand zu verhängen. » | Ute Müller, Madrid | Samstag, 27. November 2021
Die Portugiesen gelten bei der Impfkampagne als Musterschüler Europas. Fast 88 Prozent der Gesamtbevölkerung sind vollständig gegen das Coronavirus geimpft – so viele wie in kaum einem anderen Land. Portugals amtierender Ministerpräsident António Costa lässt daher auch keine Gelegenheit aus, das exemplarische Verhalten seiner Landsleute zu loben. Diese zeichneten sich durch hohes Verantwortungsbewusstsein aus, sagte der 60-Jährige am Ende einer Ministerratssitzung am Donnerstag. Dank der hohen Impfquote gebe es weniger Einlieferungen in Kliniken und Intensivstationen und vor allem weniger Tote. Trotzdem hat Costa nun beschlossen, wieder einen nationalen Notstand zu verhängen. » | Ute Müller, Madrid | Samstag, 27. November 2021
New ‘Variant of Concern’ Fuels Global Fear of Another Virus Surge
THE NEW YORK TIMES: Scientists do not yet know how dangerous the new Omicron variant is, but its many mutations set off alarms, lowering hopes of putting the pandemic in the past.
The world reacted with alarm on Friday to the highly mutated new coronavirus variant discovered in southern Africa, as the United States, the European Union and nations across the globe imposed new travel restrictions, financial markets swooned and visions of finally emerging from the pandemic started to dim.
Just two days after the world learned of the variant, the World Health Organization officially labeled it a “ variant of concern,” its most serious category — the first since the Delta variant, which emerged a year ago. The designation means that the variant has mutations that might make it more contagious or more virulent, or make vaccines and other preventive measures less effective — though none of those effects has yet been established.
After an emergency meeting, the W.H.O. warned in a statement that “preliminary evidence suggests an increased risk of reinfection with this variant” in people who have already had Covid-19. In keeping with the practice of naming variants for letters of the Greek alphabet, it dubbed the new one Omicron. » | Richard Pérez-Peña and Jason Horowitz | Published: Friday, November 26, 2021; updated: Saturday, November 27, 2021
Germany finds a suspected case of the variant. »
Two cases of Omicron Covid variant identified in UK: The B.1.1.529 variant, described in Britain as ‘the most worrying we’ve seen’, was first found in southern Africa »
The world reacted with alarm on Friday to the highly mutated new coronavirus variant discovered in southern Africa, as the United States, the European Union and nations across the globe imposed new travel restrictions, financial markets swooned and visions of finally emerging from the pandemic started to dim.
Just two days after the world learned of the variant, the World Health Organization officially labeled it a “ variant of concern,” its most serious category — the first since the Delta variant, which emerged a year ago. The designation means that the variant has mutations that might make it more contagious or more virulent, or make vaccines and other preventive measures less effective — though none of those effects has yet been established.
After an emergency meeting, the W.H.O. warned in a statement that “preliminary evidence suggests an increased risk of reinfection with this variant” in people who have already had Covid-19. In keeping with the practice of naming variants for letters of the Greek alphabet, it dubbed the new one Omicron. » | Richard Pérez-Peña and Jason Horowitz | Published: Friday, November 26, 2021; updated: Saturday, November 27, 2021
Germany finds a suspected case of the variant. »
Two cases of Omicron Covid variant identified in UK: The B.1.1.529 variant, described in Britain as ‘the most worrying we’ve seen’, was first found in southern Africa »
Friday, November 26, 2021
Travel Restrictions Multiply for African Countries over Fears of a New Variant
THE NEW YORK TIMES: Countries around the world moved to restrict travel from southern Africa on Friday in a frantic effort to keep a newly identified, and apparently significantly evolved, variant of the coronavirus from crossing their borders.
The European Commission proposed that its members activate the “emergency brake” on travel from countries in southern African and other countries affected to limit the spread of the new variant.
“All air travel to these countries should be suspended until we have a clear understanding about the danger posed by this new variant,” Ursula von der Leyen, the president of the European Union’s executive arm, said in a statement. “And travelers returning from this region should respect strict quarantine rules.”
In the past, governments have taken days, weeks or months to issue travel restrictions in response to new variants. This time, restrictions came within hours of South Africa’s announcement — at least 10 countries around the world had announced measures before South African scientists had finished a meeting with World Health Organization experts about the variant on Friday. » | Jason Horowitz, Lynsey Chutel and Mike Ives | Friday, November 26, 2021
Covid-19 en Europe : un premier cas du nouveau variant détecté en Belgique : La Belgique est le premier pays européen à détecter un cas du variant B.1.1.529. Le patient contaminé est revenu d'Égypte le 11 novembre dernier. »
The European Commission proposed that its members activate the “emergency brake” on travel from countries in southern African and other countries affected to limit the spread of the new variant.
“All air travel to these countries should be suspended until we have a clear understanding about the danger posed by this new variant,” Ursula von der Leyen, the president of the European Union’s executive arm, said in a statement. “And travelers returning from this region should respect strict quarantine rules.”
In the past, governments have taken days, weeks or months to issue travel restrictions in response to new variants. This time, restrictions came within hours of South Africa’s announcement — at least 10 countries around the world had announced measures before South African scientists had finished a meeting with World Health Organization experts about the variant on Friday. » | Jason Horowitz, Lynsey Chutel and Mike Ives | Friday, November 26, 2021
Covid-19 en Europe : un premier cas du nouveau variant détecté en Belgique : La Belgique est le premier pays européen à détecter un cas du variant B.1.1.529. Le patient contaminé est revenu d'Égypte le 11 novembre dernier. »
Thursday, November 25, 2021
The Guardian View on Europe’s Covid Protests: Treat with Care
THE GUARDIAN – EDITORIAL: The unvaccinated are contributing to a fourth wave. But governments must do all they can to avoid two-tier societies becoming the norm
As a fourth wave of Covid-19 infections threatens to overwhelm intensive care units in hospitals from Brussels to Berlin, European governments have begun to sound exasperated as well as anxious. On Monday, the German health minister, Jens Spahn, starkly laid out the stakes of the coming winter, in terms designed to function as a wake-up call. By the spring, Mr Spahn warned, the vast majority of Germans would be “vaccinated, cured or dead”. The Dutch prime minister, Mark Rutte, dismissed violent protesters against restrictions on the unjabbed as “idiots”, while his Belgian counterpart, Alexander De Croo, said that similar scenes in Brussels were “absolutely unacceptable”.
The comments of Mr Rutte and Mr De Croo were explicitly directed at the violent fringe that hijacked demonstrations in the Belgian capital and Rotterdam. But there is a more general sense of frustration among political leaders in western Europe: as an expected autumn surge duly comes to pass, a significant minority of citizens are deepening the crisis by refusing to be vaccinated. Dealing with this section of the population, which is far more likely to need hospital treatment after infection, has become a major policy dilemma for governments seeking to juggle civil liberties with the need to protect the interests of society as a whole. » | Editorial | Tuesday, November 23, 2021
As a fourth wave of Covid-19 infections threatens to overwhelm intensive care units in hospitals from Brussels to Berlin, European governments have begun to sound exasperated as well as anxious. On Monday, the German health minister, Jens Spahn, starkly laid out the stakes of the coming winter, in terms designed to function as a wake-up call. By the spring, Mr Spahn warned, the vast majority of Germans would be “vaccinated, cured or dead”. The Dutch prime minister, Mark Rutte, dismissed violent protesters against restrictions on the unjabbed as “idiots”, while his Belgian counterpart, Alexander De Croo, said that similar scenes in Brussels were “absolutely unacceptable”.
The comments of Mr Rutte and Mr De Croo were explicitly directed at the violent fringe that hijacked demonstrations in the Belgian capital and Rotterdam. But there is a more general sense of frustration among political leaders in western Europe: as an expected autumn surge duly comes to pass, a significant minority of citizens are deepening the crisis by refusing to be vaccinated. Dealing with this section of the population, which is far more likely to need hospital treatment after infection, has become a major policy dilemma for governments seeking to juggle civil liberties with the need to protect the interests of society as a whole. » | Editorial | Tuesday, November 23, 2021
Tuesday, November 23, 2021
Spanien wundert sich über die neue Corona-Krise in Nordeuropa – im Land herrscht eine fast schon beneidenswerte Normalität
NEUE ZÜRCHER ZEITUNG: Spanien wurde zu Beginn besonders hart von der Corona-Pandemie getroffen. Doch mittlerweile ist das Land dank seiner gut organisierten Impfkampagne zum Vorbild in Europa geworden. Dabei offeriert die Regierung den nördlichen Nachbarn ein probates Rezept: Masken und Impfung, Impfung und Masken.
Am Wochenende bilden sich ein weiteres Mal lange Schlangen vor den grossen Impfzentren in Madrid. Bis zu einer Stunde etwa müssen die Menschen vor dem Hospital Isabel Zendal warten, obwohl dort rund um die Uhr geimpft wird. Doch niemand beschwert sich, im Gegenteil. «Mir macht das nichts aus. So kann ich Weihnachten unbesorgt mit meinen Kindern und Enkeln feiern», sagt die 71-jährige Isabel González. Der ältere Herr hinter ihr nickt zustimmend: «Hauptsache, wir sind geschützt. Das ist das Wichtigste.»
Wenige Tage zuvor beschloss die Regierung des Ministerpräsidenten Pedro Sánchez, die Auffrischungsimpfungen auf die über 60-Jährigen sowie das Gesundheits- und Pflegepersonal auszuweiten. Bis dahin waren zunächst nur die über 70-Jährigen aufgefordert, sich zum dritten Mal gegen das Coronavirus impfen zu lassen. Nun sollen weitere sieben Millionen Spanierinnen und Spanier die Drittimpfung erhalten. » | Ute Müller, Madrid | Dienstag, 23. November 2021
Am Wochenende bilden sich ein weiteres Mal lange Schlangen vor den grossen Impfzentren in Madrid. Bis zu einer Stunde etwa müssen die Menschen vor dem Hospital Isabel Zendal warten, obwohl dort rund um die Uhr geimpft wird. Doch niemand beschwert sich, im Gegenteil. «Mir macht das nichts aus. So kann ich Weihnachten unbesorgt mit meinen Kindern und Enkeln feiern», sagt die 71-jährige Isabel González. Der ältere Herr hinter ihr nickt zustimmend: «Hauptsache, wir sind geschützt. Das ist das Wichtigste.»
Wenige Tage zuvor beschloss die Regierung des Ministerpräsidenten Pedro Sánchez, die Auffrischungsimpfungen auf die über 60-Jährigen sowie das Gesundheits- und Pflegepersonal auszuweiten. Bis dahin waren zunächst nur die über 70-Jährigen aufgefordert, sich zum dritten Mal gegen das Coronavirus impfen zu lassen. Nun sollen weitere sieben Millionen Spanierinnen und Spanier die Drittimpfung erhalten. » | Ute Müller, Madrid | Dienstag, 23. November 2021
As Virus Cases Rise in Europe, an Economic Toll Returns
THE NEW YORK TIMES: A series of restrictions, including a lockdown in Austria, is expected to put a brake on economic growth.
Vienna decorated for Christmas. Austria is mandating vaccinations and imposed a nationwide lockdown on Monday. | Georg Hochmuth/Agence France-Presse, via Getty Images
Europe’s already fragile economic recovery is at risk of being undermined by a fourth wave of coronavirus infections now dousing the continent, as governments impose increasingly stringent health restrictions that could reduce foot traffic in shopping centers, discourage travel and thin crowds in restaurants, bars and ski resorts.
Austria has imposed the strictest measures, mandating vaccinations and imposing a nationwide lockdown that began on Monday. But economic activity will also be dampened by other safety measures — from vaccine passports in France and Switzerland to a requirement to work from home four days a week in Belgium.
“We are expecting a bumpy winter season,” said Stefan Kooths, a research director of the Kiel Institute for the World Economy in Germany. “The pandemic now seems to be affecting the economy more negatively than we originally thought.”
The tough lockdowns that swept Europe during the early months of the pandemic last year ended up shrinking economic output by nearly 15 percent. Buoyed by a raft of government support to businesses and the unemployed, most of those countries managed to scramble back and recoup their losses after vaccines were introduced, infection rates tumbled and restrictions eased.
In September, economists optimistically declared that Europe had reached a turning point. In recent weeks, the main threats to the economy seemed to stem from a post-lockdown exuberance that was causing supply-chain bottlenecks, energy-price increases and inflation worries. And widespread vaccinations were expected to defang the pandemic’s bite so that people could continue to freely gather to shop, dine out and travel. What was not expected… » | Patricia Cohen and Melissa Eddy | Tuesday, November 23, 2021
Europe’s already fragile economic recovery is at risk of being undermined by a fourth wave of coronavirus infections now dousing the continent, as governments impose increasingly stringent health restrictions that could reduce foot traffic in shopping centers, discourage travel and thin crowds in restaurants, bars and ski resorts.
Austria has imposed the strictest measures, mandating vaccinations and imposing a nationwide lockdown that began on Monday. But economic activity will also be dampened by other safety measures — from vaccine passports in France and Switzerland to a requirement to work from home four days a week in Belgium.
“We are expecting a bumpy winter season,” said Stefan Kooths, a research director of the Kiel Institute for the World Economy in Germany. “The pandemic now seems to be affecting the economy more negatively than we originally thought.”
The tough lockdowns that swept Europe during the early months of the pandemic last year ended up shrinking economic output by nearly 15 percent. Buoyed by a raft of government support to businesses and the unemployed, most of those countries managed to scramble back and recoup their losses after vaccines were introduced, infection rates tumbled and restrictions eased.
In September, economists optimistically declared that Europe had reached a turning point. In recent weeks, the main threats to the economy seemed to stem from a post-lockdown exuberance that was causing supply-chain bottlenecks, energy-price increases and inflation worries. And widespread vaccinations were expected to defang the pandemic’s bite so that people could continue to freely gather to shop, dine out and travel. What was not expected… » | Patricia Cohen and Melissa Eddy | Tuesday, November 23, 2021
Covid Restrictions Tighten across Europe as Case Numbers Soar | DW News
Nov 22, 2021 • There's a growing public backlash as governments in several European countries tighten coronavirus restrictions. In the Netherlands, more than 130 people have been arrested during three days of unrest. Coronaviruses cases there are setting new records. A week ago the government imposed western Europe's first partial lockdown since the summer. Austria has gone back into national lockdown - the first country in Europe to reimpose such a harsh measure as a winter wave of Covid-19 infections rolls across the continent.
On Sunday tens of thousands turned out in the capital Vienna to protest against the lockdown. Now, Christmas markets, bars, restaurants and most shops have closed. For at least the next ten days, people can only leave their homes for essential reasons.
With Covid-19 cases also soaring in places like neighboring Germany, Europe is facing a winter of toughening restrictions.
Covid deaths in Europe to top 2 million by March, says WHO: Dr Hans Kluge describes situation as ‘very serious’ with increasing strain on health services »
On Sunday tens of thousands turned out in the capital Vienna to protest against the lockdown. Now, Christmas markets, bars, restaurants and most shops have closed. For at least the next ten days, people can only leave their homes for essential reasons.
With Covid-19 cases also soaring in places like neighboring Germany, Europe is facing a winter of toughening restrictions.
Covid deaths in Europe to top 2 million by March, says WHO: Dr Hans Kluge describes situation as ‘very serious’ with increasing strain on health services »
Monday, November 22, 2021
Most Germans to Be ‘Vaccinated, Cured or Dead’ within Months, Says Minister
THE GUARDIAN: Jens Spahn issues stark warning as neighbouring Austria implements contentious new Covid lockdown
Most Germans will be “vaccinated, cured or dead” from Covid-19 in a few months, the country’s health minister has warned, as Germany’s southern neighbour Austria put its population of 8.9 million back under a nationwide lockdown.
Figures released on Monday showed more than 30,000 newly confirmed cases in Germany over the past 24 hours — an increase of about 50% compared with a week ago. As intensive care units near capacity and hospitals contend with a shortage of staff and respiratory apparatus, doctors have said they are ready to apply a triage system that would prioritise care for patients judged to have the best chance of survival.
“Probably by the end of the winter, more or less everyone in Germany will be vaccinated, cured or dead,” the health minister, Jens Spahn, said. “That sounds cynical, but that is the reality.”
Spahn said the highly contagious Delta variant made his prediction very probable and that was why the government was so urgently recommending vaccination. » | Kate Connolly in Berlin | Monday, November 22, 2021
„Wahrscheinlich wird am Ende dieses Winters jeder geimpft, genesen oder gestorben sein“: Bundesgesundheitsminister Jens Spahn gibt zu, dass die Begrenzung des Corona-Impfstoffs von BioNTech und der Wechsel zu Moderna schlecht kommuniziert worden seien. Es gebe genügend Dosen für alle. Die Wissenschaft springt dem CDU-Politiker bei. »
Most Germans will be “vaccinated, cured or dead” from Covid-19 in a few months, the country’s health minister has warned, as Germany’s southern neighbour Austria put its population of 8.9 million back under a nationwide lockdown.
Figures released on Monday showed more than 30,000 newly confirmed cases in Germany over the past 24 hours — an increase of about 50% compared with a week ago. As intensive care units near capacity and hospitals contend with a shortage of staff and respiratory apparatus, doctors have said they are ready to apply a triage system that would prioritise care for patients judged to have the best chance of survival.
“Probably by the end of the winter, more or less everyone in Germany will be vaccinated, cured or dead,” the health minister, Jens Spahn, said. “That sounds cynical, but that is the reality.”
Spahn said the highly contagious Delta variant made his prediction very probable and that was why the government was so urgently recommending vaccination. » | Kate Connolly in Berlin | Monday, November 22, 2021
„Wahrscheinlich wird am Ende dieses Winters jeder geimpft, genesen oder gestorben sein“: Bundesgesundheitsminister Jens Spahn gibt zu, dass die Begrenzung des Corona-Impfstoffs von BioNTech und der Wechsel zu Moderna schlecht kommuniziert worden seien. Es gebe genügend Dosen für alle. Die Wissenschaft springt dem CDU-Politiker bei. »
As Thanksgiving Approaches, U.S. Virus Cases Tick Upward Once More
THE NEW YORK TIMES: Cases are rising again in parts of the country, but more people are traveling, and health officials have largely stopped telling people to skip celebrations.
CHICAGO — A month ago, new coronavirus cases in the United States were ticking steadily downward and the worst of a miserable summer surge fueled by the Delta variant appeared to be over. But as Americans travel this week to meet far-flung relatives for Thanksgiving dinner, new virus cases are rising once more, especially in the Upper Midwest and Northeast.
Federal medical teams have been dispatched to Minnesota to help at overwhelmed hospitals. Michigan is enduring its worst case surge yet, with daily caseloads doubling since the start of November. Even New England, where vaccination rates are high, is struggling, with Vermont, Maine and New Hampshire trying to contain major outbreaks. » | Mitch Smith | Monday, November 22, 2021
CHICAGO — A month ago, new coronavirus cases in the United States were ticking steadily downward and the worst of a miserable summer surge fueled by the Delta variant appeared to be over. But as Americans travel this week to meet far-flung relatives for Thanksgiving dinner, new virus cases are rising once more, especially in the Upper Midwest and Northeast.
Federal medical teams have been dispatched to Minnesota to help at overwhelmed hospitals. Michigan is enduring its worst case surge yet, with daily caseloads doubling since the start of November. Even New England, where vaccination rates are high, is struggling, with Vermont, Maine and New Hampshire trying to contain major outbreaks. » | Mitch Smith | Monday, November 22, 2021
Sunday, November 21, 2021
Violence in Belgium and Netherlands as Covid Protests Erupt across Europe
THE GUARDIAN: Anger at government restrictions spreads to Austria, Switzerland, Italy, Denmark and Croatia
Police spray protesters as they gather in front of the Gare du Nord in Brussels, Belgium, for an anti-Covid pass protest. Photograph: Thierry Monasse/Getty Images
Violence erupted at demonstrations in Belgium and the Netherlands over the weekend as tougher Covid-19 restrictions to curb the resurgent pandemic led to angry protests in several European countries.
Ten of thousands of people marched through central Brussels on Sunday to protest against reinforced restrictions imposed by the Belgian government to counter the latest rise in coronavirus cases. The march, which police estimated involved 35,000 people, began peacefully but descended into violence as several hundred people started pelting officers, smashing cars and setting rubbish bins on fire. Police responded with teargas and water cannon.
“We have injuries but we cannot yet say how many,” said Ilse Vande Keere, a police spokesperson. It was also unclear how many people had been detained.
Demonstrators had earlier gathered to protest against the government’s advice to get vaccinated and any possible moves to impose mandatory shots. Shouting “freedom, freedom, freedom!” and singing the anti-fascist song Bella Ciao, protesters lined up behind a huge banner saying “together for freedom” and marched to the EU headquarters. Signs among the crowd varied from far-right insignia to the rainbow flags of the LGBT community. » | Jon Henley | Sunday, November 21, 2021
Violence erupted at demonstrations in Belgium and the Netherlands over the weekend as tougher Covid-19 restrictions to curb the resurgent pandemic led to angry protests in several European countries.
Ten of thousands of people marched through central Brussels on Sunday to protest against reinforced restrictions imposed by the Belgian government to counter the latest rise in coronavirus cases. The march, which police estimated involved 35,000 people, began peacefully but descended into violence as several hundred people started pelting officers, smashing cars and setting rubbish bins on fire. Police responded with teargas and water cannon.
“We have injuries but we cannot yet say how many,” said Ilse Vande Keere, a police spokesperson. It was also unclear how many people had been detained.
Demonstrators had earlier gathered to protest against the government’s advice to get vaccinated and any possible moves to impose mandatory shots. Shouting “freedom, freedom, freedom!” and singing the anti-fascist song Bella Ciao, protesters lined up behind a huge banner saying “together for freedom” and marched to the EU headquarters. Signs among the crowd varied from far-right insignia to the rainbow flags of the LGBT community. » | Jon Henley | Sunday, November 21, 2021
Saturday, November 20, 2021
Österreich führt Impfpflicht für alle ein
FRANKFURTER ALLGEMEINE ZEITUNG: Das Land zieht die Notbremse: Verbindliche Impfung ab Februar, 20 Tage Lockdown ab Montag. Danach soll wieder gelockert werden – aber nur für Geimpfte und Genesene.
Als erstes Land in Europa will Österreich eine Corona-Impfpflicht einführen. Von Februar 2022 soll jeder im Land verpflichtet werden, sich eine Impfung verabreichen zu lassen, sofern nicht gesundheitliche Gründe dagegen stehen. Sonst droht eine Verwaltungsstrafe. Diese Entscheidung der Regierung in Wien gemeinsam mit den Chefs der Bundesländer wurde am Freitagvormittag in Verbindung mit einem vierten Lockdown für die gesamte Bevölkerung verkündet. Die Schließungen sollen von kommenden Montag an gelten. » | Von Stephan Löwenstein, Politischer Korrespondent mit Sitz in Wien | Freitag, 19. November 2021
Corona-Proteste in Wien und Rotterdam
Nov 20, 2021 • In Wien haben die Proteste gegen die österreichische Corona-Politik begonnen. Im Tagesverlauf sind mehrere Kundgebungen geplant. Die Polizei rechnet mit mehreren Tausend Demonstrierenden
In Rotterdam sind gestern Abend Proteste gegen schärfere Corona-Regeln in Gewalt umgeschlagen. Am Morgen nach den Ausschreitungen bot sich in der niederländischen Stadt ein Bild der Verwüstung. Laut Polizei wurden sieben Menschen verletzt - unter ihnen auch Beamt:innen.
Verwandt
In Rotterdam sind gestern Abend Proteste gegen schärfere Corona-Regeln in Gewalt umgeschlagen. Am Morgen nach den Ausschreitungen bot sich in der niederländischen Stadt ein Bild der Verwüstung. Laut Polizei wurden sieben Menschen verletzt - unter ihnen auch Beamt:innen.
Verwandt
Impfung: Darf der Staat entscheiden? | Philosophischer Stammtisch | Sternstunde Philosophie | Kultur
Apr 19, 2021 • Die Welt buhlt um Corona-Impfstoff. Doch nicht alle, die könnten, wollen sich auch impfen lassen. Darf der Staat uns dazu zwingen? Oder haben wir doch das Recht, über den eigenen Körper zu entscheiden?
Verlockungen gibt es viele: Downhill ohne Helm, Zuckerwaren haufenweise, mehrere Gläser über den Durst. Doch Väterchen Staat will uns erziehen: mit Helmobligatorien, Zuckersteuer und Alkoholverboten. Gilt nicht: «Mein Körper gehört mir»?
Doch tut er das eigentlich noch? Werden wir nicht ständig ermahnt, die steigenden Gesundheitskosten im Blick zu behalten und mit unserem Verhalten nicht die Staatskasse zu belasten? Geht mein Lebensstil die anderen etwas an? Oder ist er gänzlich Privatsache?
Mit Svenja Flasspöhler und Stefan Riedener diskutieren am philosophischen Stammtisch Wolfram Eilenberger und Barbara Bleisch.
Sternstunde Philosophie vom 18.04.2021
Verlockungen gibt es viele: Downhill ohne Helm, Zuckerwaren haufenweise, mehrere Gläser über den Durst. Doch Väterchen Staat will uns erziehen: mit Helmobligatorien, Zuckersteuer und Alkoholverboten. Gilt nicht: «Mein Körper gehört mir»?
Doch tut er das eigentlich noch? Werden wir nicht ständig ermahnt, die steigenden Gesundheitskosten im Blick zu behalten und mit unserem Verhalten nicht die Staatskasse zu belasten? Geht mein Lebensstil die anderen etwas an? Oder ist er gänzlich Privatsache?
Mit Svenja Flasspöhler und Stefan Riedener diskutieren am philosophischen Stammtisch Wolfram Eilenberger und Barbara Bleisch.
Sternstunde Philosophie vom 18.04.2021
Rotterdam Police Open Fire as Covid Protest Turns Violent
THE GUARDIAN: Warning shots fired as unrest breaks out over Dutch plans to impose restrictions on unvaccinated people
Police in Rotterdam have fired warning shots, injuring protesters, as riots broke out at a demonstration against government plans to impose restrictions on unvaccinated people.
Crowds of rioters torched cars, set off fireworks and threw rocks at police in the centre of the Dutch port city on Friday, and police responded with shots and water cannon.
“Police were forced to draw their weapons and even fire direct shots,” the mayor of Rotterdam, Ahmed Aboutaleb, told a press conference early on Saturday.
He described the riots as “an orgy of violence, I can’t think of another way to describe it”. With video » | Staff and agencies in The Hague | Saturday, November 20, 2021
Covid-19 : manifestations contre les mesures anti-Covid, violences aux Pays-Bas et aux Antilles : Sept personnes ont été blessées vendredi dans des émeutes à Rotterdam, tandis qu'un couvre-feu a été décrété en Guadeloupe pour mettre fin au vandalisme. Des manifestations agitent aussi l'Australie et l'Autriche. »
Weitere Festnahmen nach «Orgie der Gewalt» in Rotterdam: In den Niederlanden haben am Freitagabend Hunderte von Menschen gegen weitere Beschränkungen demonstriert. Es kam zu chaotischen Szenen. Nach Schüssen der Sicherheitskräfte gibt es sieben Verletzte. »
Corona-Kundgebung in Wien hat begonnen: Die rechte FPÖ sieht Österreich auf dem Weg in eine „Diktatur“ und hat zur Demo in Wien aufgerufen. In Telegram-Gruppen wird offen Gewalt angedroht. »
Austria braces for violence at mass protests over Covid measures. »
Australia Covid protests: threats against ‘traitorous’ politicians as thousands rally in capital cities: Melbourne ‘freedom’ rally draws largest crowds as counter-protesters avoid confrontation »
Friday, November 19, 2021
Austria Announces a Lockdown and Vaccination Mandate for All.
THE NEW YORK TIMES: Austria will go into a nationwide lockdown on Monday and impose a coronavirus vaccination mandate in February, Chancellor Alexander Schallenberg said on Friday. It is the first such lockdown in a European nation since the spring, and the first national vaccine mandate to be announced in a Western democracy.
Austria has one of Europe’s highest national coronavirus infection rates, with 14,212 new cases registered in 24 hours on Thursday. And the Alpine country has one of the lowest vaccination rates in Western Europe, with just 66 percent of the population fully inoculated.
Recent restrictions on unvaccinated people have failed to bring the outbreak sufficiently under control, leading to the measures announced on Friday.
“For a long time — maybe too long — I and others assumed that it must be possible to convince people in Austria to voluntarily get vaccinated,” Mr. Schallenberg said on Friday. “We therefore have reached a very difficult decision to introduce a national vaccine mandate.” » | Christopher F. Schuetze and Elian Peltier | Friday, November 19, 2021
Covid-19 : l'Autriche va rendre la vaccination obligatoire à partir du 1er février, une première dans l'UE : Le chancelier Alexander Schallenberg a en outre annoncé un confinement de sa population dès lundi, y compris des vaccinés. »
Thursday, November 18, 2021
Oberösterreich und Salzburg verhängen Lockdown für alle
FRANKFURTER ALLGEMEINE ZEITUNG: Lange hat sich die österreichische Kanzlerpartei ÖVP gegen Einschränkungen für Geimpfte gestemmt. Jetzt preschen zwei ÖVP-regierte Regionen vor.
In Österreich haben die Bundesländer Salzburg und Oberösterreich wegen drohender Überlastung der Krankenhäuser angekündigt, von kommender Woche an einen allgemeinen Lockdown zu verhängen. Bislang gilt dort wie in den anderen Regionen der „Lockdown für Ungeimpfte“. Der hat sich als nicht ausreichend wirkungsvoll erwiesen, um eine unmittelbare Besserung der Lage herbeizuführen. Die Kliniken in den beiden Bundesländern haben Alarm geschlagen und teils Vorbereitungen für Triage-Entscheidungen getroffen. » | Von Stephan Löwenstein, Wien | Donnerstag, 18. November 2021
Österreichs Ex-Kanzler Kurz verliert die Immunität: Der ehemalige österreichische Kanzler Sebastian Kurz hat seinen Schutz vor Korruptionsermittlungen verloren. Das Parlament hob am Donnerstag einstimmig die Immunität des 35-jährigen konservativen Politikers auf. »
Comment le Covid s’attaque au cerveau
LE FIGARO : DÉCRYPTAGE - Des chercheurs européens pensent avoir mis au jour le mécanisme qui expliquerait certains troubles neurologiques.
Au début, le Covid fut avant tout considéré comme une maladie pulmonaire. Les patients les plus gravement atteints souffraient effectivement d’un syndrome respiratoire aigu comme on en voit dans la grippe. Mais il est vite apparu que le virus provoquait également des symptômes neurologiques: anosmie, crises convulsives, AVC, perte de conscience, confusion, à long terme difficultés cognitives… Pour l’expliquer, il y a bien sûr la violence de la maladie et des traitements infligés aux patients en réanimation. Mais anosmie et «brouillard» cognitif sont aussi très fréquents chez ceux atteints par les formes légères de la maladie. Tout semble donc indiquer que, d’une façon ou d’une autre, le Sars-CoV-2 fait bien plus que d’attaquer nos poumons. » | Par Soline Roy | mardi 16 novembre 2021
Réservé aux abonnés
À LIRE AUSSI : Covid-19 : le virus est capable de pénétrer dans le cerveau et d'y infecter les neurones : DÉCRYPTAGE - Des chercheurs français ont démontré que le virus ne se contentait pas de s'infiltrer dans le cerveau : il contamine aussi les neurones. Avec quelles conséquences ? »
Au début, le Covid fut avant tout considéré comme une maladie pulmonaire. Les patients les plus gravement atteints souffraient effectivement d’un syndrome respiratoire aigu comme on en voit dans la grippe. Mais il est vite apparu que le virus provoquait également des symptômes neurologiques: anosmie, crises convulsives, AVC, perte de conscience, confusion, à long terme difficultés cognitives… Pour l’expliquer, il y a bien sûr la violence de la maladie et des traitements infligés aux patients en réanimation. Mais anosmie et «brouillard» cognitif sont aussi très fréquents chez ceux atteints par les formes légères de la maladie. Tout semble donc indiquer que, d’une façon ou d’une autre, le Sars-CoV-2 fait bien plus que d’attaquer nos poumons. » | Par Soline Roy | mardi 16 novembre 2021
Réservé aux abonnés
À LIRE AUSSI : Covid-19 : le virus est capable de pénétrer dans le cerveau et d'y infecter les neurones : DÉCRYPTAGE - Des chercheurs français ont démontré que le virus ne se contentait pas de s'infiltrer dans le cerveau : il contamine aussi les neurones. Avec quelles conséquences ? »
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