German Chancellor Angela Merkel Discusses German ‘Perfectionism’ Amid Current Virus Struggles

In an interview with public programmer, ARD, German Chancellor Angela Merkel stated that there is a need for more flexibility in Germany regarding problems rising from the coronavirus in the country but also stated that more should be done to curb the spread of the virus.

The Associated Press reported that Merkel admitted her administration did not do everything right with regards to managing the virus. She also “expressed frustration over the actions of some of Germany’s state governors, including members of her own party, who have resisted tougher restrictions they had previously agreed to.”

Although Merkel isn’t running for re-election this fall, she stated that she still plans to deliver vaccinations to every adult in Germany by the end of the summer, stating that the country is still doing well when juxtaposed with neighboring nations.

“We have a difficult situation,” she said. “But look at our neighbors. With the exception of Denmark they are all grappling with the same problems, in part from a much more difficult position.”

Deutsche Welle reported, however, that “[Merkel] said Germany would not get ‘any vaccine that is not produced in Europe.’”

The German broadcaster reported that Merkel referenced a rise in coronavirus cases in the nation, saying, “We have to break this third wave … We need action in the federal states. We need to take the appropriate measures very seriously. Some states are doing it, others are not yet doing it.”

Germany is a federal system and states are the deciders of how they will impose restrictions and curb the spread of the virus. The outlet reported that “Saarland, for example, has decided to end its lockdown measures after Easter and reopen sports and entertainment venues.”

In the interview, Merkel also mentioned her recent decision to change course and not lockdown the country over the Easter holiday.

The Daily Wire reported on Merkel’s decision last week:

German Chancellor Angela Merkel reversed an announcement made on Tuesday that included details of a decision about imposing a lockdown for five days over the Easter holiday.

The Associated Press reports that the original plan was to make Thursday of next week — the day before Good Friday — a “rest day.” This would include all shops closing with only groceries allowed to open their doors on Easter Saturday. “Since the Friday and Monday are already national holidays, that would have created a five-day shutdown of public life — on top of existing lockdown restrictions, which were extended through April 18,” per the outlet.

Following backlash from the decision, Merkel announced that the lockdown would no longer happen and apologized for her actions.

“The idea of an Easter shutdown was drawn up with the best intentions, because we must urgently manage to slow and reverse the third wave of the pandemic,” Merkel said. “However, the idea … was a mistake — there were good reasons for it but it could not be implemented well enough in this short time.”

“This mistake is my mistake alone, because in the end I bear ultimate responsibility for everything,” she told the press. “A mistake must be called a mistake, and above all it must be corrected — and if possible, that has to happen in time.”

“At the same time, of course I know that this whole matter triggers more uncertainty — I regret that deeply and I apologize to all citizens,” she said.

AP reported that in the interview on Sunday, Merkel discussed German perfectionism. She pointed to the necessity of vaccination sites and doctors to have lists of people who can get vaccinated with leftover vaccine supplies at the end of the day as an example.

“By Sunday, about 10.8 % of the population had received a first dose of vaccine in Germany, a far smaller share than in Britain, the United States and Israel,” the AP reported. According to Germany’s official vaccine dashboard website, 4.7% of the general population is fully vaccinated.

“Perhaps we’re very perfectionist at times and want to do everything right, because obviously whoever makes a mistake always faces quite a lot of public criticism,” Merkel said.

“But there needs to be flexibility, too,” she added. “That, I believe, is an attribute that we as Germans perhaps need to learn a little bit more, alongside our tendency toward perfectionism.”

Merkel encouraged Germans, as well, saying, “We also need to voice a bit of courage and strength.”

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