Remembering the moment when something from the news affects your daily life

Norway, Trondheim, Magnus, Norwegian, -, Procurement, Married/Kids: Married, 1 child

General

How is the situation in your city/ country? Is there a 2nd wave yet?
Here in Trondheim the situation is stable for the moment. We have so far not been hit by a 2nd wave yet after opening up more since everything closed. There are more cases since the 1st wave, but still very controlled. Schools have been working for about 5-6 weeks after the summer holiday now, and this has not lead to any bigger outbreak.

How did the atmosphere in your country change within the last months?
People are getting used to the new “normal”, with more strict hygiene standards. For normal I think Norwegians like to keep distance to other people, but now it`s much more than before.

How are you and your family?
We have not been infected, and are only affected by more social distancing and home office.

What was the biggest challenge for you within the last months?
Not knowing how hard the virus would hit, and for how long. In the beginning we had no clue about it, and did`nt really know how dangerous it was for example to do a simple thing like grocery shopping. Sneezing in the shop resulted in other people almost panicing.

Sneezing in the shop resulted in other people almost panicing.

Measures

When did you realize how serious the situation is?
When schools closed. Until that moment it changed from something on the news to something that affected us a lot in daily life.

How did your government react to the crisis? Which measures/restrictions were taken first?
Society closed. School, restaurants, any social activity.

Are you satisfied with the measures of your government? What was good/bad?
Yes.

What would you like to say to your government?

Which sentence of a virologist/politician did you memorize the most?

When schools closed, it changed from something on the news to something that affected us a lot in daily life.

The Virus

Do you know anybody who was infected with COVID-19 or even died?
Yes.

Have you already done a Coronavirus test or have you been in quarantine?
Yes.

Are you afraid of getting infected with the Coronavirus?
No. I`m more concerned about infecting others.

I`m more concerned about infecting others.

The lockdown

How long is/was your lockdown and what was allowed/what wasn´t?
3 months. Not allowed to visit others.

Did you spend the lockdown time with somebody and what did you do during this time?
With my wife and my son. We played a lot together outside, did a lot of cross country skiing.

What did you miss the most during the lockdown? What helped you?
Social gatherings. I had a lot to do at work, so it was sort of impossible in that matter also.

We played a lot together outside, did a lot of cross country skiing.

Changes

How did your work situation change within the last months (shorter hours, working from home, etc.)
In the first 3 months only from home office. Then more and more in the office again.

How did your social life (relationship/friendships/dating) change due to the Corona crisis?

What impact has the Corona crisis on your financial situation?
Good. I kept my job/income, and got less expences.

Social distancing: How does your daily life look like at the moment?
More normal, but we are more cautious about cancelling if someone doesnt feel well.

We are more cautious about cancelling if someone doesnt feel well.

Perception

Who are to your opinion the heroes of this crisis?
Those people who are doing the testing, and those who work in the hospitals.

What did the crisis show you?

What will you appreciate more after the crisis?

Which images will you never forget?

Which stories/incidents/experiences touched/shattered you the most?

The heroes for me are the people who are doing the testing, and those who work in the hospitals.

Perspective

What are you afraid of right now?

What gives you hope?

Are you planning to travel within the next months?
No.

If they find a vaccine, would you take it?
Yes, but I will wait until many already took it.

What can we all learn from this crisis?

If you could give 2020 a headline, what would it be?

I would take the vaccine, but I will wait until many already took it.