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EU Government

German Leader Angela Merkel in Quarantine after Her Doctor Tests Positive for Coronavirus (go.com) 88

Posted by EditorDavid from the get-well-soon dept.
An anonymous reader quotes the Associated Press: German Chancellor Angela Merkel has gone into quarantine after being informed that a doctor who administered a vaccine to her has tested positive for the new coronavirus.

Merkel's spokesman said the German chancellor was informed about the doctor's test shortly after holding a news conference Sunday announcing new measures to curb the spread of the virus.
The 65-year-old Chancellor will continue her work from home.

UPDATE: (3/25/2019):Merkel tested negative in a second test, "and will undergo another test at the beginning of next week," reports Reuters, citing a statement from a government spokesman.
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German Leader Angela Merkel in Quarantine after Her Doctor Tests Positive for Coronavirus More

German Leader Angela Merkel in Quarantine after Her Doctor Tests Positive for Coronavirus

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  • There probably will be a few exceptions, but pretty much everyone will get this. I think there are a ton of people right now that have it and will never know because they don't have symptoms and won't be tested. But yeah, by the time we get a vaccine, we probably won't need it anymore.

    • Re: (Score:2, Troll)

      by Rick Schumann ( 4662797 )
      Actually I imagine many Slashdotters won't get it, because they naturally self-isolate (in their basements) and have no social life other than the Internets to start with, so 'social distancing' is the default for them anyway.

    • In 1918-1920, only about 25% of the world's population was infected with Spanish flu.

      Most epidemiologists predict that about 70% will eventually get covid. After that, there is too much herd immunity for the disease to propagate.

      With reasonable precautions, such as asking your mom to leave your food at the top of the basement stairs, it shouldn't be too hard to be one of the other 30%.

      Of course, a vaccine would completely change the situation.

      The other big question is whether the virus will mutate to allow

      • "The other big question is whether the virus will mutate to allow re-infection."

        It already mutated from the S-type to the more aggressive L-type and they expect more.

        • It already mutated from the S-type to the more aggressive L-type

          The L-type transmits more easily, but it still appears that immunity to S confers immunity to L.

          So far, there have been no confirmed re-infections.

        • The S-Type L-Type idea has been debunked by multiple leading virologists and it seems that the original authors just were unable to properly use the tools at hand and to make sense of the results.
          Here's a letter that asks the authors to retract their paper - it's pretty readable I think.

          http://virological.org/t/respo... [virological.org]

      • Re: (Score:2)

        by hey! ( 33014 )

        At this point we in the US are way below the 1% mark, even if you assume that the true number of infected people is 10x reported cases. The crisis here is avoiding overrunning our healthcare system and driving up death rates.

        So we're a long way from herd immunity, which requires about 60% of the population to be immune for a virus of this level of transmissibility. While I don't think "everyone" will get it, I think nobody can assume they won't get it over the months it will take to get through this thing.

        • Completely unfounded speculation, but I wonder if it could have anything to do with vaping?

          • Re: (Score:2)

            by hey! ( 33014 )

            That's interesting. I guess you could compare the US to the UK and France, where vaping was also popular.

          • Completely unfounded speculation, but I wonder if it could have anything to do with vaping?

            That must be why all those 80-year-old vapers are dropping dead.

        • Re: (Score:2)

          by guruevi ( 827432 )

          Young Americans are fatter on average. Being obese is comorbid with a lot of things, including the Chinese Flu.

          • Re: (Score:1)

            by dryeo ( 100693 )

            Why is Trump's terrible cold called Chinese flu, is it like how the Kansas flu was changed to Spanish flu? Repeat a lie enough until it is believed?

        • Re: (Score:2)

          by HiThere ( 15173 )

          Your 1% figure is totally unreasoned speculation. If people aren't tested, you don't know that they had it. If they die, you don't know why. Most who die of COVID-19 actually die of pneumonia or heart stoppage. Unless you test you know know what lead to the end result. And the US has aggressively not tested.

          • Re: (Score:2)

            by hey! ( 33014 )

            It's moving fast enough that people who *have* had it largely are still active cases.

    • I think that's the right spelling. Basically a blood test to see the various antibodies in your blood. If I remember correctly the ratio of various antibodies, IGG, IGM, IGA for example can tell if it's a currently or infection from the past. Not sure if a lot of doctors will be willing to just give somebody that test in a year or so. (I know I'd be interested in taking it.)

    • There probably will be a few exceptions, but pretty much everyone will get this. I think there are a ton of people right now that have it and will never know because they don't have symptoms and won't be tested. But yeah, by the time we get a vaccine, we probably won't need it anymore.

      In China, the number of new infections is basically down to zero, and most people did not get it. Even in Wuhan most people didn't. So there are alternatives.

      • If you believe the Chinese are now telling the truth. And, they achieved those numbers with some drastic steps the West has yet to put in place.

        However, IMO the real question is what happens now that China is relaxing controls and trying to get people back to work. If Wuhan and the rest of China resume some measure of normality and there isn't a second wave that would indeed be greatly encouraging.

    • Re: (Score:2)

      by Fallon ( 33975 )

      The point of the quarantines isn't to stop people from getting the virus. It's to stop everybody from getting it all at once.

      Our medical system can handle most complications most of the time. But if everybody or a large part of the population shows up in the ER at once with COVID19 problems a large number of those easily treated complications will get triaged & some of those people will die. It doesn't even need to be COVID19. If you have a heart attack & every doctor is busy with COVID19 patients,

  • the rich and famous will get the best available treatments, while the rest of us will wonder if there's a respirator available at the local overcrowded hospital soon.

    Otherwise, yeah, I wish her well also.

    • I believe in Germany everyone gets the same treatment. That's why it's called social healthcare.

      • I very much doubt Angela Merkel is getting the same treatment as Herr Joe Blow.

        • Re: (Score:3, Informative)

          by angel'o'sphere ( 80593 )

          I very much doubt Angela Merkel is getting the same treatment as Herr Joe Blow.
          Then you are an idiot.

        • Comment removed based on user account deletion

          • Re: (Score:2)

            by guruevi ( 827432 )

            And if you think that isn't some photo-op, then I have a bridge to sell you in Brooklyn, nobody's even allowed to walk on it right now!

        • Re: (Score:1)

          by guruevi ( 827432 )

          Angela Merkel can afford to go to a private hospital or even be transported to the US, no real shortages (yet) in either case. Public healthcare options in the EU has something like 6x less ventilators per capita, which they're relegated now to having anesthesiologist operate the surgery ventilators in the ER and using what limited CPAP and BiPAP machines there are available.

      • Re: I imagine (Score:5, Insightful)

        by Sumguy2436 ( 6186944 ) on Sunday March 22, 2020 @03:58PM (#59860218)

        You are wrong. Social healthcare is for the common people. They get maybe 10-15 minutes with an overworked doctor who has to manage hundreds of patients. They also get the bare minimum treatment that health insurance providers reluctantly pay for and limited to no choice which doctor they have to go to.

        People like Merkel have private insurance. Likely even multiple insurances and upgrades for all kinds of luxuries like being treated by the head physician instead of some random underling. Plus, with her connections and power she'll get all the facetime with doctors of her choosing she wants.

        All animals are equal, but some animals are more equal.

        • Re: I imagine (Score:5, Informative)

          by angel'o'sphere ( 80593 ) <angelo,schneider&oomentor,de> on Sunday March 22, 2020 @05:49PM (#59860632) Journal

          They also get the bare minimum treatment that health insurance providers reluctantly pay for and limited to no choice which doctor they have to go to.

          People like Merkel have private insurance.
          The treatment is the same, regardless if you have private or public insurance.

          Likely even multiple insurances and upgrades for all kinds of luxuries like being treated by the head physician instead of some random underling.
          Yes, that is an upgrade you can "buy" with a private insurance. But if he is available he treats other patience, too. And if he is not available, your private insurance does not magically make him available.

          Plus, with her connections and power she'll get all the facetime with doctors of her choosing she wants.
          With in reason, yes. But not in the absurd implication you make.

          • The treatment is the same, regardless if you have private or public insurance.

            If that was the case why is the vaccination she just got not given to everyone?

            There are tons of extra options with private insurance for more highly qualified doctors and you get to choose where you go to (with public insurance you're stuck wherever your "house doctor" sends you, can't go to that specialist you'd rather go to), longer hospital stays, better hospital rooms, health resorts, better quality treatments (e.g. glasses or dental stuff), etc. Even without extra options private insurers pay for more

            • Re: (Score:3)

              by thomst ( 1640045 )

              angelo'o'sphere (who is German, and knows whereof he speaks - at least, in this instance) noted:

              The treatment is the same, regardless if you have private or public insurance.

              Prompting Sumguy2436 to respond:

              If that was the case why is the vaccination she just got not given to everyone?

              Because it was a flu vaccine? Which is given to everyone in Deutschland who wants it - and is recommended for everyone over the age of 65? Which is Angela Merkel's current age?

              There is NO vaccine for COVID-19. Not for Angela Merkel, not for Donald Trump, not for the fictitious Herr Blow, not for me, and certainly not for YOU, you dimwit ...

              • Yea it says in the article that it's not a Coronavirus vaccine but a pneumococcal vaccine (not flu either). They don't have enough of these vaccines and raised the minimum age to 70 which means Merkel should not have qualified and if you want it you're out of luck: https://www.rki.de/DE/Content/... [www.rki.de] (German article)

                Apparently not the first time Merkel got special treatment with regard to vaccines: https://www.diepresse.com/5157... [diepresse.com] (German article)

                • Yea it says in the article that it's not a Coronavirus vaccine but a pneumococcal vaccine (not flu either).
                  There are no "pneumococcal vaccines", it was an anti bacterial vaccine, no idea against which one.

                  Vaccines cost close to nothing, so your statement: They don't have enough of these vaccines and raised the minimum age to 70 make no sense at all.

                  Good luck with your conspiracy ...

                  • Uh, I got your mythical pneumococcal vaccine many years ago. And they are pushing them in the backwater of USA as well as the cities.

                    • Then explain us:
                      against which of the 20 potential bacteria
                      against which of the 30 potential fungi (can you get vaccines against fungi? no idea)
                      against which of the dozens of viruses
                      was your "anti pneumonia" vaccine?

                      Pneumonia is a condition, not a germ you can get vaccinated against.

                    • Re: (Score:2)

                      by j-beda ( 85386 )

                      "Pneumonia" may be a condition that can arise from problems that cannot be inoculated against, but the term "pneumococcal vaccine" is widely used inside and outside of the medical community despite the potential confusion by people who might think such vaccines can protect against all possible cases of pneumonia.

                      https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/v... [cdc.gov]

                      There are two pneumococcal vaccines licensed for use in the United States by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA):

                      Pneumococcal conjuga

            • If that was the case why is the vaccination she just got not given to everyone?
              Why would it? The vaccination was not related to anything regarding corvir19.

              Normal people are stuck with wherever their "house doctor" refers them to.
              No they are not.

          • They also get the bare minimum treatment that health insurance providers reluctantly pay for and limited to no choice which doctor they have to go to.

            People like Merkel have private insurance. The treatment is the same, regardless if you have private or public insurance.

            The waiting time for an appointment isn't. If you call up a doctor's office in Germany, the first thing the assistent asks is: "State Insurance (Kasse) or Private Insurance (Privat)?"

            You get an appointment quicker if you are "Privat". And thus, a quicker treatment . . . which is better.

            Likely even multiple insurances and upgrades for all kinds of luxuries like being treated by the head physician instead of some random underling. Yes, that is an upgrade you can "buy" with a private insurance. But if he is available he treats other patience, too. And if he is not available, your private insurance does not magically make him available.

            The head physician ("Chefarzt") treats the patients he wants to . . . think of Dr. House . . . the rest get treated by an senior physician ( "Oberarzt"), if they're lucky, but most likely by a resident or intern ("Assist

            • The treatment is also not quite the same. People with a private insurance often get surgeries even when a conservative treatment would suffice.

            • Oh, and you also get a private room.
              Only if you pay for it, mine gives me a two bed room :D
              And if I relinquish it and take an ordinary room, I get extra money for every day in hospital.

        • About half-way through my adult life, I moved from the US to Germany, so I've been able to experience the health care systems in both countries. I'd take Germany's any day. I opted against private insurance here & I'd say my access to care is substantially better than what I had in the US & at a lower cost, and I had a rather good, 100% employer paid, insurance plan when I was still in the US. Yes, a private room at the hospital would be a nice thing that you can get with private insurance & the

      • Nope, there is both socialised and private health care in Germany, the civil servants often use the latter, as strange as it seems.

        • When those who run the programs avoid using those programs, you have to really question just how good the programs are...

          • It is more complicated than that. The civil servants have free choice between the public and the private health system, normal employees only have free choice if they earn more than AFAIR 60k per year. Private health insurance is much cheaper below a certain age, but gradually becomes much more expensive, this is why the state encourages the civil servants to use the he private insurance - when they get old and need more health care, it becomes their own problem and the state doesn't have to pay.
            All in all

            • Unfortunately for us in the US, if Bernie Sanders and his ilk get the reins of power, we won't even have the options you have - for private or public insurance. There will be public only, and if the State decides you don't get care, well - either you have to go overseas or die.

              • I wouldn't mind if Germany switches to public health care with additional private options instead of the current system - it is more sensible and ensures better quality health care on average, because, for example, right now doctors who have been removed from the public system (equivalent to being disbarred to an American lawyer) can keep practicing as private doctors. It also would enlarge the pool of insured lowering the costs.
                Unfortunately intensive lobbying has prevented that so far despite the people g

                • That would make sense to me; in the US, if you lose your license to practice medicine, you cannot get insurance, and thus no place will ever hire you as a doctor. And it's illegal to practice medicine without a license and insurance. But our Democrat party wants to outlaw private health insurance altogether, leaving us with the Government option - or nothing. They are so far left, they make the left-wing parties in Europe seem centrist and moderate.
              • Wow, interesting deduction here. As a mere spectator on US politics, I can't recall having ever seen any politician saying that the options were EITHER private OR public insurance; one doesn't exclude the other as the example from Germany show clearly. How on earth did you come to your conclusion?
                • Listen to Bernie (And Hillary before him during the clintonian years). He explicitly said "no private insurance". She was going to make it criminal to go outside the socialized health care system.
                • Bernie explicitly stating [thehill.com] "you're damn right" that health insurance companies will be eliminated under his proposal. There is the Government solution.... And nothing else. The reality is, the Left (Sanders, Pelosi, Schumer, Biden) all want this solution. It's effectively the old USSR solution to healthcare. ONE provider for everyone (except the ruling class, they need better service because Ruler).

                • Also, this is why so many find it laughable when people claim there is no "left" party in the US, just "center and right". The proposals from our Democrat party are way to the left of anything in Europe. Even abortion. In Germany [wikipedia.org], there is a 3 day waiting period, and abortions after the 1st trimester must be for medical necessity only. Yet in the US post-birth abortion [bbc.com] - infanticide - is deemed acceptable.

                  Don't believe ANYONE who says there is no "left wing" in the US - we have such an extreme left-wing

      • Dunno about Germany, but nearly all countries with nationalized health care still have private doctors you can pay to visit and private health insurance you can purchase if you wish coverage or priority above and beyond the public system. It's only the forced-socialist governments like Communist countries where the socialized way is the only way. Likewise, the U.S. socializes its health care too. In fact the U.S. government already spends more per capita on health care than nearly all other OECD countries [oecd-ilibrary.org]
  • Shit's hitting the fan.

  • In former days you'd go to the doctor when you got sick.
    Now it's the other way around.

  • Getting a vaccine may give you the Wuhan Coronavirus! (In the unusual circumstance that the doctor giving the vaccine is infected with SARS-CoV-2).
  • Putin is paranoid and having everyone around him screened for fever and tested to stop this happening to him. And that he would send any person who caused him to be infected a warm gift of polonium.
  • ... but you will very likely eventually have to take it, and then you are either immune or, if among the few unlucky, dead. If you watch the news today, realize that all the catastrophic impact on economy and society is _not_ caused by the virus, it is caused by the drastic measures certain people think will save an unknown part of the unlucky 0.2%. History will tell whether in the long run, it was a good idea to voluntarily enter a global depression in the hope that this would lower the number of fatalitie

    • Re: (Score:2)

      by Reziac ( 43301 ) *

      Or we could do nothing, and have Italy, only bigger.

  • I hear she has a nice retreat to stay at in the Bavarian Alps at Obersalzberg.

  • Shouldn't they have put her doctor in quarantine instead?
  • Open to all and everything.
  • How isn't that news? - that there IS a vaccine? - the decision making process that decides who gets it

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