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Coronavirus hit the UK & Germany days apart
This analysis shows how the two countries responded differently
Decisions delayed by a few days — and how the countries were differently prepared — may have had a huge impact https://www.buzzfeed.com/albertonardelli/coronavirus-timeline-uk-germany-comparison-johnson-merkel">https://www.buzzfeed.com/albertona...
Coronavirus hit the UK & Germany days apart
This analysis shows how the two countries responded differently
Decisions delayed by a few days — and how the countries were differently prepared — may have had a huge impact https://www.buzzfeed.com/albertonardelli/coronavirus-timeline-uk-germany-comparison-johnson-merkel">https://www.buzzfeed.com/albertona...
Loads of fascinating stuff in this UK-Germany timeline (the differences are nuanced)
Initially, both countries& #39; experts underestimated the virus, insisting the threat was "very low"
But Germany was miles ahead on underlying preparations for a pandemic
https://www.buzzfeed.com/albertonardelli/coronavirus-timeline-uk-germany-comparison-johnson-merkel">https://www.buzzfeed.com/albertona...
Initially, both countries& #39; experts underestimated the virus, insisting the threat was "very low"
But Germany was miles ahead on underlying preparations for a pandemic
https://www.buzzfeed.com/albertonardelli/coronavirus-timeline-uk-germany-comparison-johnson-merkel">https://www.buzzfeed.com/albertona...
At the end of February, some German schools / sporting events are cancelled
The govt centralises procurement of essential equipment
Health minister Spahn: "It’s better to have more tests than too few"
UK insists no reason for schools/events to close
https://www.buzzfeed.com/albertonardelli/coronavirus-timeline-uk-germany-comparison-johnson-merkel">https://www.buzzfeed.com/albertona...
The govt centralises procurement of essential equipment
Health minister Spahn: "It’s better to have more tests than too few"
UK insists no reason for schools/events to close
https://www.buzzfeed.com/albertonardelli/coronavirus-timeline-uk-germany-comparison-johnson-merkel">https://www.buzzfeed.com/albertona...
By the beginning of March, Germany is well ahead of the UK on testing
Testing / preparation seems to be the main difference at this point
But interestingly, both countries continue to insist that serious social distancing is not necessary
https://www.buzzfeed.com/albertonardelli/coronavirus-timeline-uk-germany-comparison-johnson-merkel">https://www.buzzfeed.com/albertona...
Testing / preparation seems to be the main difference at this point
But interestingly, both countries continue to insist that serious social distancing is not necessary
https://www.buzzfeed.com/albertonardelli/coronavirus-timeline-uk-germany-comparison-johnson-merkel">https://www.buzzfeed.com/albertona...
Then in the second week of March the two countries do start to diverge
Germany introduces proper social distancing
But UK officials brief against "populist measures" that "aren& #39;t any use"
Germany is testing 31,000 a day. UK is testing 4,000 a day
https://www.buzzfeed.com/albertonardelli/coronavirus-timeline-uk-germany-comparison-johnson-merkel">https://www.buzzfeed.com/albertona...
Germany introduces proper social distancing
But UK officials brief against "populist measures" that "aren& #39;t any use"
Germany is testing 31,000 a day. UK is testing 4,000 a day
https://www.buzzfeed.com/albertonardelli/coronavirus-timeline-uk-germany-comparison-johnson-merkel">https://www.buzzfeed.com/albertona...
March 10: The German government recommends the cancellation of all events with more than 1,000 people
March 13: The Cheltenham horse racing festival concludes. More than 250,000 people attended. https://www.buzzfeed.com/albertonardelli/coronavirus-timeline-uk-germany-comparison-johnson-merkel">https://www.buzzfeed.com/albertona...
March 13: The Cheltenham horse racing festival concludes. More than 250,000 people attended. https://www.buzzfeed.com/albertonardelli/coronavirus-timeline-uk-germany-comparison-johnson-merkel">https://www.buzzfeed.com/albertona...
Key thing to note for critics of herd immunity
On March 11, Merkel said 60%–70% of Germans would get virus
On March 13, Patrick Vallance said herd immunity was a "goal"
Suggests at this point both countries thought herd immunity was a realistic outcome https://www.buzzfeed.com/albertonardelli/coronavirus-timeline-uk-germany-comparison-johnson-merkel">https://www.buzzfeed.com/albertona...
On March 11, Merkel said 60%–70% of Germans would get virus
On March 13, Patrick Vallance said herd immunity was a "goal"
Suggests at this point both countries thought herd immunity was a realistic outcome https://www.buzzfeed.com/albertonardelli/coronavirus-timeline-uk-germany-comparison-johnson-merkel">https://www.buzzfeed.com/albertona...
Then, by the middle of March, Germany and the UK seem to be more on the same page again
Both Angela Merkel and Boris Johnson introduce tougher measures on the same day — March 16 — following the Imperial College report
https://www.buzzfeed.com/albertonardelli/coronavirus-timeline-uk-germany-comparison-johnson-merkel">https://www.buzzfeed.com/albertona...
Both Angela Merkel and Boris Johnson introduce tougher measures on the same day — March 16 — following the Imperial College report
https://www.buzzfeed.com/albertonardelli/coronavirus-timeline-uk-germany-comparison-johnson-merkel">https://www.buzzfeed.com/albertona...
In the third week of March, both Merkel and Johnson order a full-scale lockdown
Germany testing 103,515 per day. UK testing 5-10k
Chris Whitty blames a shortage of chemicals...
144 dead in Germany. 578 in UK
https://www.buzzfeed.com/albertonardelli/coronavirus-timeline-uk-germany-comparison-johnson-merkel">https://www.buzzfeed.com/albertona...
Germany testing 103,515 per day. UK testing 5-10k
Chris Whitty blames a shortage of chemicals...
144 dead in Germany. 578 in UK
https://www.buzzfeed.com/albertonardelli/coronavirus-timeline-uk-germany-comparison-johnson-merkel">https://www.buzzfeed.com/albertona...
By April 11, 10,000 dead in UK. 2,500 in Germany
Chris Whitty says the UK can "learn" from Germany on testing
1.3 million tests in Germany. 334,974 in UK
Germany’s army donates 60 ventilators to the UK
https://www.buzzfeed.com/albertonardelli/coronavirus-timeline-uk-germany-comparison-johnson-merkel">https://www.buzzfeed.com/albertona...
Chris Whitty says the UK can "learn" from Germany on testing
1.3 million tests in Germany. 334,974 in UK
Germany’s army donates 60 ventilators to the UK
https://www.buzzfeed.com/albertonardelli/coronavirus-timeline-uk-germany-comparison-johnson-merkel">https://www.buzzfeed.com/albertona...
