'Basically In A New Pandemic,' Says Merkel, As Germany Extends Lockdown
https://www.npr.org/sections/coronavirus-live-updates/2021/03/23/980272577/basically-in-a-new-pandemic-says-merkel-as-germany-extends-lockdownGerman Chancellor Angela Merkel on Tuesday announced an intensified coronavirus lockdown going into Easter, warning that new mutations raised the specter of a potentially deadly "third wave" of COVID-19 as Europe struggles in its vaccination campaign.
Speaking early Tuesday, Merkel said restrictions would be extended until April 18. She called on citizens to stay home and for shops to close for five days over the Easter holiday.
"We are now basically in a new pandemic. The British mutation has become dominant," Merkel said after late-night videoconference sessions with leaders of Germany's 16 states.
"Fundamentally, we face a new virus of the same kind but with very different characteristics," she said. "More deadly, more infectious, and infectious for longer."....