Ghana, Kumasi, Linda, Ghanaian, 24, Administrator, Not married/No child
General
How is the situation in your city/ country? Is there a 2nd wave yet?
Yes, the 2nd wave of COVID has hit us, the economy has become quite slow.
How did the atmosphere in your country change within the last months?
Not as much as the 2nd wave, due to lack of awareness and education or information, the protocols are not being observed or aren’t strict as in the first wave.
How are you and your family?
You don’t get to hear this question nowdays because a lot of families are going through a lot of loss but my family and I are doing well both physically and mentally.
What was the biggest challenge for you within the last months?
Being around people, a lot of people are not observing the protocols so it´s kind of scary when boarding public transport or socializing in particular.
Due to lack of awareness and education or information, the protocols are not being observed or aren’t strict as in the first wave.
Measures
When did you realize how serious the situation is?
I have been following news around the world and I have always known it was serious but it really got me pretty well when my colleague showed me a video of her friend suffering at the hospital after contracting the disease.
How did your government react to the crisis? Which measures/restrictions were taken first?
They did their best but the awareness wasn’t and the measures were being enforced in the cities only which left the local or rural citizens to suffer more due measures not being in place.
Are you satisfied with the measures of your government? What was good/bad?
They did a fantastic job with the first wave but the 2nd, no I am not satisfied, not at all.
What would you like to say to your government?
Strict measures, educating the citizens about the outbreak and providing first hand protective items for the needy and aged should be prioritized.
Which sentence of a virologist/politician did you memorize the most?
Together we will get through this just us we have always been.
The measures were being enforced in the cities only which left the local or rural citizens to suffer more due measures not being in place.
The Virus
Do you know anybody who was infected with COVID-19 or even died?
Yes but he didn`t die, fortunately.
Have you already done a Coronavirus test or have you been in quarantine?
Yes I have and no I haven’t been quarantined.
Are you afraid of getting infected with the Coronavirus?
Yes I am afraid for myself and the people I come in contact with each day.
I am afraid for myself and the people I come in contact with each day.
The lockdown
How long is/was your lockdown and what was allowed/what wasn´t?
Officially it was 3 weeks, going to the hospital, supermarket was allowed but walking outside wasn’t allowed, not wearing nose mask wasn’t allowed, social gathering wasn’t allowed.
Did you spend the lockdown time with somebody and what did you do during this time?
No I didn`t because I live alone.
What did you miss the most during the lockdown? What helped you?
Going to work and reading and learning of new skills online helped me.
Learning new skills online helped me.
Changes
How did your work situation change within the last months (shorter hours, working from home, etc.)
Shorter hours.
How did your social life (relationship/friendships/dating) change due to the Corona crisis?
Thanks to social media, it didn’t.
What impact has the Corona crisis on your financial situation?
My monthly allowance was reduced due to low income.
Social distancing: How does your daily life look like at the moment?
Been more careful than before.
Thanks to social media my social life didn´t change during the crisis.
Perception
Who are to your opinion the heroes of this crisis?
Frontliners and the survivors.
What did the crisis show you?
Life and good health is most important.
What will you appreciate more after the crisis?
Good health, social gatherings and spending time with your loved ones.
Which images will you never forget?
Mass buriels and seeing affected people on TV.
Which stories/incidents/experiences touched/shattered you the most?
When an asthmatic family friend got infected.
Life and good health is most important.
Perspective
What are you afraid of right now?
Contracting the disease, losing a loved one and the stigmatization after recovery.
What gives you hope?
The fact that I am still alive and well.
Are you planning to travel within the next months?
Maybe if I get the chance.
Would you get yourself vaccinated against COVID-19??
Yes.
What can we all learn from this crisis?
Life is uncertainty.
If you could give 2020 a headline, what would it be?
Global standstill.
It gives me hope that I am still alive and well.