- German Chancellor Angela Merkel said that people who have not been vaccinated need to understand that they have a responsibility to the rest of society to protect others.
- Merkel spoke at the APEC summit at the invitation of New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern.
- Europe is experiencing a surge in Covid-19 cases, partly because unvaccinated people are spreading the virus to the elderly and vulnerable groups.
BERLIN-German Chancellor Angela Merkel said on Thursday that as the fourth wave of the coronavirus pandemic spreads in Germany, those who have not yet been vaccinated must understand that they have a responsibility to the rest of society to protect others.
Merkel, at the invitation of New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, said at the Asia Pacific Business Summit that the task of politicians is to be honest with the public and provide justification for serious intervention.
In recent weeks, the number of coronavirus cases across Europe has surged, and experts worry that the health system is at risk of being overwhelmed again, partly because unvaccinated people are still spreading the disease to the elderly and more vulnerable.
Merkel said via a video link:
We must make it clear that I have the right to be vaccinated. This is a huge asset and a huge technological achievement.
“But I also have a certain obligation to contribute to the protection of society.”
Although many unvaccinated age groups may statistically experience milder Covid-19 cases, they can transmit the virus to elderly people with weakened immune systems, and even if vaccinated, they may eventually receive intensive care.
Merkel, who is being interviewed by Microsoft President Brad Smith, added that the challenges of pandemics and climate change are similar because they are both exponential processes and their severity is difficult to identify at the beginning of the growth curve.
“When you see the beginning of exponential growth, you have to act immediately, and understanding what an exponential means is not universal in our society,” Merkel said.
“This is why we are so indifferent to climate change-climate change is also increasing exponentially, and we must act when we can’t see how the numbers grow.”
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