Being one of the last foreign reporters left in Russia

Russia, Moscow, Niko, German, 35, Journalist/Entrepreneur, Married/ No kids

General

How is the situation in your city/ country? Is there a 2nd wave yet?
Even though there are quite a lot of cases, there are hardly any restrictions. All bars, cafes, restaurants and offices are open. I am very much in favour of that. There is a 2nd wave, yes.

How did the atmosphere in your country change within the last months?
During April and May, there was a lockdown. The megacity Moscow was dead – but ever since it has changed a lot and now it is pretty much as always.

How are you and your family?
Fine. I had Covid19, but recovered after a week with no follow-up.

What was the biggest challenge for you within the last months?
Organising work trips, not being able to see my family in Germany. And the time at home during lockdown in April, May.

I had Covid19, but recovered after a week with no follow-up.

Measures

When did you realize how serious the situation is?
In April, when the boarders closed and there was a lockdown.

How did your government react to the crisis? Which measures/restrictions were taken first?
Lockdown. Now they are trying to minimize economical loss to the people. I think it is much better to understand that every individual can choose his or her own risk instead of locking people down like in Europe now for example.

Are you satisfied with the measures of your government? What was good/bad?
Yes. In my opinion, every person is constantly taking risks for his life, when driving in a fast car or so. So when I am willing to risk my health, I am able to go out and live my life whereas people who do not want to do so can stay at home.

What would you like to say to your government?
Keep the businesses going! And schools open! We only have one life, and we will never be 6, 18, 30 again. We do not want to be locked in!

Which sentence of a virologist/politician did you memorize the most?
I remember the warnings that the situation could take very long.

We only have one life, and we will never be 6, 18, 30 again. We do not want to be locked in!

The Virus

Do you know anybody who was infected with COVID-19 or even died?
Yes, pretty much all my friends and colleagues had it. None of them has any measurable effects after the two weeks of feeling bad.

Have you already done a Coronavirus test or have you been in quarantine?
Yes, about 8. And I had 2 weeks of quarantine during my illness, which I served at home without any troubles.

Are you afraid of getting infected with the Coronavirus?
No.

Pretty much all my friends and colleagues had COVID-19.

The lockdown

How long is/was your lockdown and what was allowed/what wasn´t?
9 weeks. It was depressing. Empty roads, no people, no contact. To me as a journalist, movement was allowed all the time.

Did you spend the lockdown time with somebody and what did you do during this time?
With my fiancee. We became even closer. But it was boring at times. We sang, danced, drank, read, watched TV…

What did you miss the most during the lockdown? What helped you?
Restaurants. People and noise in the streets. Travelling.

During lockdown, to me as a journalist, movement was allowed all the time.

Changes

How did your work situation change within the last months (shorter hours, working from home, etc.)
Not at all.

How did your social life (relationship/friendships/dating) change due to the Corona crisis?
Not at all.

What impact has the Corona crisis on your financial situation?
It has become better, because I have more clients trying to work with me as I´m one of the last reporters left in Russia. I would instantly swap half of my income though for more travel freedom.

Social distancing: How does your daily life look like at the moment?
Not at all.

I would instantly swap half of my income for more travel freedom.

Perception

Who are to your opinion the heroes of this crisis?
Everyone who keeps smiling, enjoying life, travelling and living as always.

What did the crisis show you?
That I love my fiancee. And how much I miss travelling abroad during Russian winter.

What will you appreciate more after the crisis?
Travelling abroad.

Which images will you never forget?
Empty 20-lane-streets in Moscow.

Which stories/incidents/experiences touched/shattered you the most?
None. None in my close circle has had any real effects.

I´ll never forget empty 20-lane-streets in Moscow.

Perspective

What are you afraid of right now?
That people will go crazy and not return to real life.

What gives you hope?
That many people realize, Covid is not that bad at all and already start living normally.

Are you planning to travel within the next months?
Yes. As much as possible. Without any restrictions… if they let me!

Would you get yourself vaccinated against COVID-19??
Yes. In order to travel.

What can we all learn from this crisis?
Keep calm and deal with unexpected situations.

If you could give 2020 a headline, what would it be?
Behind closed boarders.

We can all learn from the crisis to keep calm and deal with unexpected situations.