Timo Lenzen / DER SPIEGEL
Dear readers,
Christmas will be in less than three weeks.
Politicians gave us a gift for the festival that we do not know whether we should be happy about it: On the one hand, in view of the unchanged high number of infections and deaths, the corona restrictions were only extended on Thursday to January 10th;
on the other hand, there should be far-reaching exceptions on Christmas Eve, meetings with significantly more people are allowed.
How does that fit together?
Silent night, lonely night - of course that's not a nice idea.
Obviously, politicians do not want to expect this scenario from us.
But how would you live with the certainty that you might have brought your graying parents a fatal Christmas present on their way to the family celebration, for example from a Corona hot spot?
We should therefore give ourselves presents: by turning on our brains.
In some federal states it can currently be observed (albeit in reverse) that common sense as a weapon in the fight against the pandemic is much more effective than any rule: In Saxony, for example, some of the toughest restrictions in Germany apply, the state is about to take its measures hard lockdown.
Nonetheless, the number of cases is skyrocketing.
Because people don't obey the rules?
Anyone who still needs decision-making assistance should observe the development of the number of cases in the USA over the next week.
There had been a nationwide wave of travelers for Thanksgiving.
Thanksgiving is traditionally celebrated with families - just like Christmas with us.
Experts now fear the dramatic consequences of these meetings with a certain delay.
Otherwise, a look at the German statistics will certainly help: around 400 people are currently dying from the coronavirus every day.
Bavaria's Prime Minister Markus Söder has a point when he attests an "ethical capitulation" in view of the fact that we seem to have come to terms with it.
Turn on your brain, prevent the dead - everyone can make Christmas 2020 a particularly Christian festival in this sense.
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Does Christmas shake?
Tense corona situation: easing at Christmas is up for grabs
The corona infection numbers are at a high level, more and more infected people are dying.
Actually, the shutdown should be relaxed over the holidays.
But in view of developments, there are doubts about the political concessions.
Corona protective measures: Partial shutdown will be extended until January 10th
During their deliberations on Wednesday, the federal and state governments decided to extend the partial shutdown until January 10th.
Bavaria's Prime Minister Markus Söder held out the prospect of even stricter requirements.
Corona requirements in Europe: EU authority urgently warns of easing at Christmas
The infection rates are falling across Europe - but from the point of view of the EU health authority ECDC this is by no means a reason to give the all-clear.
Relaxation over the holidays has also met with criticism in Brussels.
Infections after the family celebration: USA fear the Thanksgiving shock
Millions of Americans travel across the country after Thanksgiving, despite all virus warnings: Experts expect a dramatic wave of infections with a delay - around Christmas.
Covid-19 in worldwide numbers
Confirmed Cases: 65,315,465
Deaths: 1,508,319
Recovered from the disease: 42,022,733
Germany: 1,130,237 confirmed sick people, 18,034 deaths
Sources: CSSE / Johns Hopkins University, as of December 4, 2020, 11:28 am;
Robert Koch Institute, as of November 27, 2020, 12:00 a.m.
Research news
Covid-19: how much isolation makes sense?
How long should people stay at home who have been infected with Sars-CoV-2?
British researchers are now proposing a shortened isolation - in the hope that people will stick to the rules more quickly.
3000 participants: Moderna plans vaccine study with children and adolescents Moderna's
corona vaccine is about to be approved.
So far, however, effectiveness and safety have only been tested on adults.
A new study aims to change that.
Debate about PCR tests: play it safe
There is hardly any other topic where corona skepticism is as vehemently as with PCR tests and Christian Drosten.
Why is that?
And what about the arguments?
Study on long-term effects: recovering from Covid does not always mean healthy
Researchers from the Netherlands have examined how people are doing three months after their Covid 19 illness.
Even slightly ill people can therefore suffer from long-term consequences.
But there is also good news.
Emergency approval for corona vaccine: UK to start vaccination next week
The UK has approved the corona vaccine from Biontech and Pfizer - ahead of the EU and the US.
The first deliveries are expected soon.
As the first company: Moderna wants to apply for approval for corona vaccine in the EU
Moderna wants to submit an application for approval of its corona vaccine to the EU on Monday.
A vaccination this year is getting closer.
What else was important
Corona throws back local transport: buses and trains are once again the means of transport for the poor
Those who earn well avoid local transport and switch to car or bicycle - only those with low incomes still use buses and trains significantly, according to a study.
The damage to the system could therefore be permanent.
Problems in combating corona: Berlin conditions
The capital wants to be particularly strict when it comes to restricting private contacts in the corona crisis.
But when it comes to implementation, there is a problem everywhere.
Rapid tests for daycare centers and schools: teachers and educators should test themselves for Corona
How should schools and daycare centers stay open in the pandemic winter?
Health Minister Spahn is now presenting a new ordinance, his plan: "Teachers will be allowed to test themselves regularly."
Clinics in the corona crisis: "As if a jumbo jet crashed every day"
The number of new infections is stagnating - but the situation in the intensive care units of German hospitals is dramatic.
How long can the employees hold out?
Two nurses and an intensive care doctor report.
Reading for the weekend
Ski vacation in the pandemic: The snow war
While Austria and Switzerland want to open their ski slopes, Italy, France and Germany fear new sources of infection.
The dispute over the Corona winter is escalating.
Live like migratory birds: My desk by the pool
Who actually says that the home office really has to be at home?
Many employees and freelancers can work from anywhere.
The Canary Islands now want to attract location-independent home workers.
Scientists on Christmas Eve in the pandemic: "The thought of salvation emerges from the subconscious"
The Germanist Karl-Heinz Göttert has dealt with Christmas as an author.
He believes the virus could also have positive effects.
Have a nice weekend
Yours Michail Hengstenberg
What you need to know about the virus
We have put together all the answers to the most important questions about the coronavirus for you here.
You can find more current developments at SPIEGEL.de.
