"COVID-19 Could Infect Hundreds of Millions"...The World Grows Grim

Merkel "I Will Do Whatever It Takes If Necessary" Resolute Determination
US Congressional Physician "It Could Affect 70 to 150 Million in the US Alone"

[Asia Economy Reporter Naju-seok] "The novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) has finally arrived. If the situation continues without vaccines or treatments, 60-70% of the German population will be infected. We must protect our citizens and prevent the spread of the virus."

On the 11th (local time), German Chancellor Angela Merkel made these remarks regarding COVID-19. She emphasized the need for extraordinary measures as the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in Germany surpassed 1,000. This nationwide address is Chancellor Merkel's first public message related to COVID-19.

[Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

Economic experts predict that Germany will break its long-standing conservative stance on fiscal matters and take aggressive actions. Chancellor Merkel also mentioned phrases such as "an extremely exceptional situation" and "we will do whatever is necessary."

The claim that 60-70% of the global population could be infected with COVID-19 has also been raised among infectious disease scholars. Mark Lipsitch, a professor in the Department of Epidemiology at Harvard University, suggested that 40-70% of the world's population could be infected.

Similar claims have emerged in the United States. According to NBC News, Brian Monahan, the attending physician for the U.S. Congress and Supreme Court, expressed in a private meeting that between 70 million and 150 million Americans could be infected with COVID-19. Considering the U.S. population is approximately 330 million, this implies that nearly half of the population could be infected.

Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases under the U.S. National Institutes of Health, also stated, "The situation will worsen." He warned, "If appropriate measures are not taken, more people could become infected."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.