The coronavirus is still winning: Now even Germany is entering another national lockdown, joined by France.
Why it matters: France has been "overpowered by a second wave,” President Emmanuel Macron said in a nationally televised address today. Macron said the "new wave will be stronger and deadlier" than the first.
The big picture: Hospitalizations are spiking in Europe, just like in the U.S.
- German hospitalizations have doubled in the last 10 days, Chancellor Angela Merkel said today.
- Dutch hospitals "have reached their limits" and they're sending patients to Germany, Reuters reports.
- Russia says hospital beds are at 90% of capacity in 16 of its regions.
Between the lines: Europe's second lockdown will look a lot different.
- Schools and child care will stay open.
- It won't be as hard to visit assisted living facilities or go to funerals.
- Germany's lockdown will end by Dec. 1.
- France's runs through at least Dec. 1, but also requires daily infections to fall below 5,000.
- There have been over 36,000 new cases in France in the last 24 hours.
The countries are also propping up affected sectors.
- The German government will provide 75% compensation to small and midsize businesses hurt by the closures.
The bottom line: “Within weeks, we will reach the limits of our health system,” Merkel said today.
- “It is completely clear that we must act, and act now, to prevent a national health crisis.”
