Germany’s proficient handling of coronavirus has made it the envy of much of Europe. Its consensual political culture, decentralised government, well-funded public services and mighty industrial base have all gained new lustre during the pandemic. Angela Merkel’s dispassion — decried as ponderousness, even complacency — has served the country well during a medical emergency. In April, a social media clip of the German chancellor’s pedagogical explanation of the meaning of the viral reproduction number became an instant hit. So John Kampfner’s book Why the Germans Do it Better is both well-timed and well-aimed.
德国对新型冠状病毒肺炎（COVID-19，即2019冠状病毒病）的娴熟处理，使其成为欧洲许多国家的艳羡对象。新冠疫情期间，德国注重共识的政治文化、权力下放的政府、资金充足的公共服务和强大的工业基础，都增添了新的光彩。安格拉•默克尔(Angela Merkel)的冷静客观——被外界指责为呆板，甚至是自满——在医疗紧急情况下为国家起到了很好的作用。4月，德国总理对病毒再生数含义进行深入浅出解释的一段视频，在社交媒体上立即引起轰动。就此而言，约翰•坎普夫纳(John Kampfner)的《为什么德国人做得更好》(Why the Germans Do it Better)一书出版的时机恰到好处，而且主题恰当。