It’s pretty much the maker of what can only be called the dull news of the day. The number of Coronavirus cases in Germany has hit the unexpected and definitely, the undesirable mark of 1,50,000. Now, on its own, any medical urgency that is around the scale of exactly 1,50,000 is never good news. And, frankly speaking, it doesn’t even matter whether one is from the heart of the worry or not.
A catastrophe in the world, means a concern for one and all. In fact, can it ever be anything less than that?
This then is Germany, by the way- the famous powerhouse not only of the Western heart of Europe but as a matter of fact, of Europe in entirety.
So what happens now?
How are the government functioning and administrative bodies going to deal with the Coronavirus cases in Germany, that as of the past few hours, definitely point to a figure of concern? A figure that’s also of discontent, if one may call it that way?
But that said, while that forms the crux of the problem, what becomes of the solution? Furthermore, happens now to the economy’s might, the behemoth that is Germany?
Now here is what the famous online news journal Berlin Spectator had to report in its coverage of the piece of news that has actually got the entire country talking, and rightly so:
In Berlin, the heads of the parties which are part of Mrs. Merkel’s grand coalition, namely the conservative CDU, its Bavarian equivalent CSU and the center-left SPD, took decisions during a long meeting. Chancellor Merkel was not present because she has not been her party’s chairperson for a while now.
The above told, regardless of the size of the problem, if those addressing it or working toward it are proactive and think of all sections of the society equally, without adopting a partisan approach, then things can take care of themselves, as they say.
In that regard, the only immediate observation one can state in the current stifling matter is that the response of the Coalition parties currently in Germany is well-thought-through, if one could put it that way.
You have to note the following, too:
Germany’s new aid package includes a temporary increase of the short-time working benefit. It will be increased incrementally, to a maximum of 80 percent, or 87 percent for parents. This means the recipients will be paid this percentage of their loss of pay caused by the Corona crisis. So far, the Federal Employment Agency had paid 60 percent, or 67 percent for parents. There are more good news for employees: They are now allowed to earn more money on the side.
It must be said that the Corona aid package takes into consideration valuable steps that are for the greater good of the overall society, including some sweeping immediate measures:
Tax relief for mid-sized and small businesses is part of the new Corona aid package too. Losses caused by the Corona crisis may be offset against advance payments on taxes. This measure is supposed to help companies to remain solvent. Only a few weeks back, the German government had already agreed to a huge aid package for companies. More will follow after the Corona crisis.
Also Read: The trial in Germany that all are talking about is currently underway
That being said, there is a cause of concern for the overall country’s functioning. In lines with the mighty Corona bail-out plan, devised by the current coalition parties, what stands in front of Germany is a whopping mountain of the national debt. In front of the glowing aid packages, formed as part of recovery measures, Germany does have to find a way to beat the growing size of its national debt. So what happens now? Maybe, the next few days are of great importance, just as they are for the greater world.