[url]https://innovationorigins.com/corona-in-europe-how-the-declining-vaccination-rate-makes-the-third-wave-inevitable/[/url] or https://innovationorigins.com/corona-in-europe-how-the-declining-vaccination-rate-makes-the-third-wave-inevitable/ - https://innovationorigins.com/corona-in-europe-how-the-declining-vaccination-rate-makes-the-third-wave-inevitable/ ;

Exactly one year ago, European countries went into lockdown for the first time. The first wave rampaged across the continent in all its ferocity, and one head of government after another took tough measures to deal with the corona crisis. Has much has changed in the meantime? Quite a bit. But this is unfortunately not the case when it comes to restrictions or infection rates.

Because of the restrictions, the first two months of 2021 for most European countries – exceptions like Portugal, Ireland and Estonia – were relatively uneventful in terms of corona infections. This trend now seems to have come to a definite end.

This is primarily due to the spread of contagious variants. It also seems as if the virus has imposed a number of new ground rules on itself, which the existing restrictions are only able to deal with to a very limited extent. Consequently, the past month did not go particularly smoothly throughout Europe.

DJ-Most of Europe only had limited lifting of restrictions-still is seeing high numbers from the winter-wave. Now most due to variants cases further increase. The link has a lot of interactive maps, charts etc...

In the Netherlands, the pandemic was pushed to the sidelines early on in March because of the general election. A number of measures were relaxed, presumably in order to appease the electorate. The result showed it was worth it: Victory went to the governing parties VVD and D66 with a clear lead. At the same time, the number of corona infections in The Netherlands went through the roof.

The following sliding charts, which compare last week with the week before and a month ago, speak volumes. The only good news lies in the proportion of positive tests, which fell slightly. Apparently, after more than a year of corona, the testing capacity is finally up to speed, more or less. Better late than never.

DJ Elections and pandemics are not a good mix. Testing in NL still only after contacts or with symptoms. [url]https://www.rivm.nl/en/novel-coronavirus-covid-19/testing-for-covid-19[/url] or  https://www.rivm.nl/en/novel-coronavirus-covid-19/testing-for-covid-19 - https://www.rivm.nl/en/novel-coronavirus-covid-19/testing-for-covid-19  

[url]https://www.zerohedge.com/covid-19/germany-orders-most-restrictive-covid-lockdown-yet-over-easter-holiday[/url] or https://www.zerohedge.com/covid-19/germany-orders-most-restrictive-covid-lockdown-yet-over-easter-holiday - https://www.zerohedge.com/covid-19/germany-orders-most-restrictive-covid-lockdown-yet-over-easter-holiday ;

All but the most important services will be closed during the lockdown period, according to https://www.rt.com/news/518864-germany-extend-lockdown-easter/" style="box-sizing: border-box; text-decoration: underline; color: rgb(20, 112, 178); - RT . Noting that the country is in a "race" to combat the pandemic, Merkel outlined the nationwide shutdown during a news conference early on Tuesday, saying that not only will existing restrictions be extended to April 18, but that most businesses will be made to close their doors for at least five days beginning on the first of the month (just before the April 4 holiday) in what appears to be the most restrictive lockdown in Germany since the start of the pandemic.

During the five-day lockdown period, only shops that sell food, as well as coronavirus testing and vaccination sites, will remain open, The draconian policy will apply across Germany, even in areas where cases haven't rebounded as intensely. Merkel said there should be “quiet days” and reduced social contacts in the time between April 1 and 5.

"We are now in a very serious situation," the chancellor told reporters after a contentious marathon meeting with the leaders of the German states - a meeting that reportedly lasted for 12 hours.

DJ-With the usual ZH "scepticism"/denial non-sense. 

[url]https://www.dw.com/en/germany-imposes-strict-lockdown-over-easter/a-56948895[/url] or https://www.dw.com/en/germany-imposes-strict-lockdown-over-easter/a-56948895 - https://www.dw.com/en/germany-imposes-strict-lockdown-over-easter/a-56948895 ;

"We are in a very, very serious situation" due to the spread of coronavirus variants in the country, Merkel told the press conference.

"What we have is essentially a new pandemic," she said. The new virus is "significantly more deadly, significantly more infectious."

"It really makes you a bit wistful about what we could have already achieved," Merkel said, adding that the mutated virus has now "basically eaten up" earlier gains.

Germany would have to be "prudent and flexible" and was in a "race against time" to vaccinate its population, she said.

DJ-Some "sceptics" seem to think national governments love restrictions for no good reasons.