German doctors go on strike as virus season hits
General practitioners and specialists in Germany have started a three-day strike, shutting down thousands of medical clinics over low earnings and stifling bureaucracy. But the Health Ministry has rejected their demands. Many medical practices and small clinics will stay closed across Germany for three days Thousands of German doctors' offices and small clinics are staying shut this week — during a spike in COVID-19 and flu cases. General practitioners and specialists are protesting the government's health policies, which they say are increasing costs, lowering earnings and burdening them with more and more bureaucracy. Patients are being advised to rely on emergency medical services as more than 20 doctor associations have joined the three-day strike. Since January 1 is a public holiday in Germany, most of the participating practices won't be open until January 2. "I don't understand why there is a strike," said Health Minister Karl Lauterbach, spea...