Europe Confronts Second Wave of Coronavirus

by Soeren Kern • December 16, 2020 at 5:00 am

On December 11, Germany recorded 29,875 new coronavirus cases, a one-day record, according to the Robert Koch Institute (RKI) for infectious diseases.
Economists are warning that the second coronavirus lockdown has increased the risk of another recession in Europe's largest economy.
"After the coronavirus crisis, Germany will look different: Now many companies, such as car factories, suppliers, steelworks and mechanical engineering companies will be closed forever. Even if the country is unlocked again, companies that are gone cannot start up again. Consumers and entrepreneurs are unsettled. This is poison for the economy and jobs." — Tichys Einblick, German blog, December 1, 2020
In Sweden, which has stood out for its "no lockdown" approach to the coronavirus pandemic, Prime Minister Stefan Löfven imposed the toughest restrictions yet after a spike in the number of infected people filling intensive care units. He said that the "unprecedented" response was needed if Sweden is to "curb transmission."

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The German government has reimposed strict lockdown measures in an effort to reverse a spike in Covid-19 infections. Beginning on December 16, all non-essential shops and businesses, as well as all schools and daycare centers, will be closed until at least January 10.

The new restrictions, which were agreed upon after talks between German Chancellor Angela Merkel and the leaders of Germany's 16 federal states, come after less intrusive lockdown measures that began on November 2 failed to significantly bring down the number of infections.

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Is America's Fourth Estate (Free Press) in Foreclosure?

by Leni Friedman Valenta with Jiri Valenta • December 16, 2020 at 4:00 am

The modern meaning [of the fourth estate]... refers to the press as a fourth and free power -- as even a "watchdog" -- over the executive, legislative and judicial branches of our government. Today, however, it is the watchdog that needs watching.
It was all right for the New York Times, as its editor-in-chief, Dean Baquet, admitted, to have "built our newsroom" around the fake Russia Hoax for two years, but substantiated facts concerning the Biden family's influence peddling were apparently "not fit to print."
So far, still to be answered, is the question: If election officials can ignore legalities with impunity, how, going forward, can there be trustworthy elections?

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The "fourth estate" refers to freedom of the press. The term may have first been used by the philosopher-statesman Edmund Burke, who in 1787 highlighted the press as free and apart from the other three British "estates" -- clergy, royalty and commoners.

The modern meaning, however, refers to the press as a fourth and free power -- as even a "watchdog" -- over the executive, legislative and judicial branches of our government. Today, however, it is the watchdog that needs watching.

The foundation on which the United States is built, freedom of speech and freedom of the press, is enshrined in the First Amendment to the US Constitution:

"Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances."

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