What do you mean it's gaining traction? It was always there, maybe not for Italy as a whole but certainly for Germany and other countries. I honestly believe the current drastic measures are just to show the people they are doing something, that they care. They will keep this up for two weeks then tell us it slowed down and lift it. The told us right from the start "a lot of your loved ones are going to die". How more plainly can you say it.
Also you CAN NOT look at Germany's ICU situation and ignore the fact that many ICU stations haven't been used for years because we just don't have the caregivers, properly educated nurses etc.
Okay let me start this from the top.
My understanding of the "pursuing herd immunity strategy" was that the Government will NOT impose any kind of work hrs reduction, travel restriction, shutting down of any kind to contain the spread of the virus. The GOAL becomes letting the virus spread as fast and wide as possible rampantly so the majority of citizen will contract it, survive it and THEN hope they develop natural immunity to the virus. The dead along the road be damned, at least this way everyone will resume life as normal and get the economy running again ASAP.
Now, based on your reply are you saying this is the official strategy of Germany and other countries?
It doesn't seem that way to me because from my understanding if there are any kind of containment measures in place then BY DEFAULT they are not pursuing this "herd immunity" strategy. Reading the news on Germany's side this reads like it's just something they hope to happen in the far future (maybe >2years) after the worst came to pass so as to minimize chances of a second outbreak.
Do cmiiw.
Herd immunity = long term goal, either via vaccine or natural spread. NOT an excuse to do nothing and watch people die.
Ideally in the meantime everyone does their best to contain the spread and not overload the system.