German Chancellor Angela Merkel gives a media statement in Berlin on Oct. 9 after a video conference with mayors of 11 German cities concerning the spread of the coronavirus. BERLIN — German Chancellor Angela Merkel called on young people to take the novel coronavirus more seriously Friday as the country, lauded for a relatively successful response so far, works to contain a spike in infections. Speaking after a video conference with the mayors of Germany’s 11 largest cities, Merkel announced new guidelines for cities as cases rise — from expanding mask-wearing to restricting sales of alcohol. Germany recorded 4,516 new coronavirus cases Friday. That remains significantly lower than the daily cases in other European countries, including the United Kingdom, France and Spain, but it represents a 60 percent increase in the past two days alone. Epidemiologists have singled out parties and an increase in indoor gatherings as German cities […]