National governments in Europe have clashed with local leaders over the best approach to the second wave of COVID infections that seem to be sweeping much of the continent.
There has been debate over how significant the number of confirmed virus cases are to the public’s overall health. Countries want no new cases, but citizens opposed to restrictive lockdown orders say the only reason the number of confirmed cases is up is because of the vast extent of testing. Business Insider reported that although infections have increased, the number of deaths have not seen the same jump.
Still, some health officials in Europe say the situation unfolding is even worse than “during the peak in March.”
The Financial Times reported many leaders are resisting lockdown measures because they remember how damaging the effects of the first lockdown were on businesses and the economy. The paper pointed to Spain and how some conservative districts have refused demands from health administrators despite the country having the region’s worst infection rate of 722 out of 100,000.
Salvador Illa, Spain’s health minister, said in a recent interview that current restrictions in the country fail to go far enough and it was “time to act with determination” to fight the virus and limit infection. But citizens in the country translate “determination” to mean they are going to have to lockdown again and be destroyed financially.
The Associated Press reported many residents believe Illa is unfairly targeting poor communities with restrictions.
The Times’ report also pointed to clashes in Paris and regions like Marseille, which seem to have lockdown fatigue. There were widespread protests in Marseille organized by restaurant workers opposed to the latest “two-week hospitality ban.” The ban is for 15 days and can be renewed.
The AP, citing local reports, said leaders from the area promised to file a legal complaint, claiming Paris is essentially restricting “the exercise of the freedom to do business… in a disproportionate way.”
Jean-Pierre Cotens, the owner of the 13 Coins bar, told Reuters, “We should stay open, they won’t be able to close everyone. And if there’s a fine, well, we’ll take it, but we’ll be better off working than shutting.”
Sadiq Khan, the mayor of London, called on Prime Minister Boris Johnson to take bolder steps in his effort to protect his citizens. Johnson called the situation a “perilous turning point” and added new restrictions that could last up to six months, according to the BBC.
“Ministers simply have to get a grip,” Khan said.
TREND FORECAST: As we have forecast, the COVID War will ignite strong anti-establishment, anti-vaccine nationalist/populist parties throughout Europe and North America. Their strength will grow as the “Greatest Depression” worsens.
