Merkel shamed by German media for using 'scare tactics' on Germans as cases skyrocket
ANGELA MERKEL has been painted as an alarmist by German media as newspapers accused her of using "scare tactics" to try to stay on top of the country's coronavirus pandemic.
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Germany's Bild newspaper warned Mrs Merkel's Government was "damaging the country" with its second wave warnings. The Chancellor on Tuesday threatened to step up controls on travel to COVID-19 "risk zones" as cases in the country surged.
But in an editorial, the county's highest-selling newspaper said warnings of a second wave of coronavirus were not justified.
It said: “This has nothing to do with reality.
"There is no sign of the much-invoked ‘second wave' in hospitals.
"The hospitalisation rate is lower than ever.
"So put an end to the scare tactics!
“It is not the task of those in power to fuel fear, but to ensure normality.
"This mood of alarm is damaging our country.”
Germany's rising infection rate has caused alarm among some virologists and politicians over the past few weeks.
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During a trip to the western state of North Rhine-Westphalia on Tuesday, Mrs Merkel slammed Germans for their "careless socialising".
She called on citizens to abide by the rules aimed at controlling the new coronavirus, such as wearing masks, to ensure schools can stay open and that Europe's biggest economy continues its recovery from lockdown.
She warned against the narrative that Germany was over the worst of the epidemic, saying: "We are in the middle of the pandemic."
She added: "The virus is out there, even if you can't see it.
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"There is no vaccine and no treatment.
"If the infection numbers go down, we can open things up more; if they don't, or if they rise, we must consider what might be necessary.
"There can be no more loosening [of the rules] at present."
On Monday 1,689 fresh infections were recorded- the highest daily number since April 24.
And on Tuesday the number of coronavirus cases in Germany jumped by more than 1,400 for the third time in a week.
Mrs Merkel's warning comes after Ireland's Taoiseach slapped on additional measures to curb the spread of the virus.
Micheal Martin on Tuesday announced a raft of new rules, including limiting outdoor gatherings to 15 people.
Previously, groups of up to 200 had been allowed to gather.
The strict measures which will remain in place until September 13 came after the country saw cases spike over the past three weeks.