COVID-19’s mortality rate remains low. What are the reasons for Germany’s better anti-epidemic performance？

　　Reference message networkReported on April 16According to an article published in the Nihon Keizai Shimbun on April 15th, in the context of the spread of the COVID-19 epidemic, there were more than 20,000 deaths in COVID-19, Italy, while there were only over 3,000 deaths in Germany. Obviously, the mortality rate in Germany is low. So what is the reason why Germany and Italy have different performances in this epidemic and the mortality gap is huge? This paper analyzes this, and the specific content is compiled as follows:

　　A document from Germany made an in-depth analysis. The document points out that Germany’s good anti-epidemic performance lies not only in its sound medical system, but also in its lifestyle with German characteristics.

　　Make a good plan in advance: "In order to slow down the infection rate, schools can only be suspended and large-scale gatherings are prohibited. Electricity and natural gas can be supplied normally, but aviation and railways are out of service, hospitals are full, and it is difficult to purchase disinfectant and masks. It will take three years for the epidemic to subside. "

　　The content of the document seems to be an analysis of the epidemic situation in COVID-19, but in fact it is the content of the report drafted by the German Federal Parliament seven years ago, that is, in January 2013. If there is a world-scale virus infection, what impact will it have on Germany and what should the government do? The report gives a detailed analysis of the possible epidemic in more than 30 pages, as if it were a prediction of the current epidemic in COVID-19.

　　Push to work from homeIn March this year, the German government issued a directive to restrict going out, and the whole country took action. For example, the Bundesbank quickly switched to the home office mode. Central bank executives use computers to monitor the market and buy and sell bonds at home. Attendance is limited to employees who maintain a stable cash flow. President Jens Weidemann only shows up once a week.

　　A person concerned revealed: "If nothing is prepared, it is impossible to work from home smoothly. The Federal Bank has made arrangements in advance so that employees can operate on home computers. " According to the experience of dealing with the outbreak of acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) in 2002-2003, the Bundesbank is ready to deal with "in case".

　　German newspapers and publishing circles basically work from home. Germany attaches importance to the balance between work and life, and few people criticize working from home. According to the statistics of the German Public Broadcasting Union, 90% of the people agree with "contact restriction" measures such as restricting going out.

　　The medical system is soundA sound medical system is also conducive to helping patients recover. According to the statistics of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, the number of beds in the intensive care unit in Germany is about 34 beds per 100,000 population, which is four times that of Italy. Ventilator manufacturers such as Doelger are German enterprises, and it is easier for the government to ask them to increase production. Germany has spare capacity to increase testing in order to find infected people as soon as possible.

　　Have a different lifestyle.Another factor that cannot be ignored is that the lifestyle of the German people is conducive to preventing intra-family infection.

　　The proportion of people over 65 in EU member states is about 20%, and there is not much difference. But the lifestyle of the elderly is very different.

　　In Germany, children are independent at an early age and usually do not live with their elderly parents. However, it is not uncommon for adult children to live with their parents in southern Europe. Many people in the medical field said: "It is easier for Germany to isolate elderly people with high risk of infection than Italy."

　　Spacious living environmentMild patients usually rest at home. German families are spacious, and most of them have guest rooms. Even if family members live together, it is easier to isolate them at home. According to data released by the German Federal Statistical Office on the 7th, about 7% of people are inconvenient to be isolated at home because of the "narrow" housing. In line with the definition of "small", the bedroom and living room are the same room, or there is no separate room for adult children. The average proportion of EU member States is 16%, and that of Italy is 28%.

　　This has a certain historical origin. After World War II, housing construction became the main content of government policy. Germany has created a good living environment, paying attention not only to quantity but also to quality, which has played a role in fighting the COVID-19 epidemic.

　　National "uneasy" securityThe word "German Angst" is used to describe the social characteristics of Germany, which means that Germans are easy to worry about the future and will be prepared for emergencies.

　　In the COVID-19 outbreak, the Germans also envisaged the "worst case". German Chancellor Angela Merkel said that 60% to 70% of the people may be infected with COVID-19. Even if the situation is not ideal, if it is true, tell it frankly and avoid risks as soon as possible. German nationalism seems to have played a role in fighting the epidemic at present.

　　On April 11, in Berlin, Germany, people kept a distance when resting on benches. Xinhua news agency