Germany, Munich, Daniel, German, 29, Consultant and Instagrammer, In a relationship/ No kids
General
How is the situation in your city/ country? Is there a 2nd wave yet?
Yet, there is no second wave even tho people seem to not take it that serious anymore and numbers are slightly increasing.
How did the atmosphere in your country change within the last months?
There have been different atmospheres and moods. Panic (getting food), love (family), gratefulness (for medical workers), mobility/online (meetings).
How are you and your family?
We are doing well. We dealt well with the situation.
What was the biggest challenge for you within the last months?
To live together with my gf for 24hours/7days a week. To have nice food cause we love going out in restaurants. To stay healthy. To stay in contact with friends. To stay fit even tho gyms and other insitutions are closed.
Measures
When did you realize how serious the situation is?
At the beginning of March.
How did your government react to the crisis? Which measures/restrictions were taken first?
A bit late, but there was no other option since there were not enough masks available in Germany. And the lockdown could have been earlier as well.
Are you satisfied with the measures of your government? What was good/bad?
It was ooook. Late but ok.
What would you like to say to your government?
React earlier.
Which sentence of a virologist/politician did you memorize the most?
No special one.
The Virus
Do you know anybody who was infected with COVID-19 or even died?
Not directly. Only heard of people who are secondary contacts.
Have you already done a Coronavirus test or have you been in quarantine?
Both. Test negative.
Are you afraid of getting infected with the Coronavirus?
Kind of. I´m pretty sure I´d survive but no one really knows about long term damages. So, I´d rather avoid getting infected.
The lockdown
How long is/was your lockdown and what was allowed/what wasn´t?
Roundabout 2 months, if I´m correct. Leave your house for grocery shopping and other important meetings such as visits at a doctor.
Did you spend the lockdown time with somebody and what did you do during this time?
I spent the lockdown with my mother and my girlfriend in my mother´s house since it is on the countryside and we have a garden which we can use. In Munich I do not have a garden so it was important to go to rural areas where you can also walk outside.
What did you miss the most during the lockdown? What helped you?
Sports, friends, travel, food – not necessarily in that order.
I changed my sports habits, so I started running. Online meetings to meet friends. Watching old pictures. Improving my cooking skills (even tho they were still there).
Changes
How did your work situation change within the last months (shorter hours, working from home, etc.)
Much more online meetings than before. More Home Office. We even cancelled one of our offices.
How did your social life (relationship/friendships/dating) change due to the Corona crisis?
No hugs or close contacts anymore. No big birthday party for me this year.
What impact has the Corona crisis on your financial situation?
Quiet a big. Less work, less money.
Social distancing: How does your daily life look like at the moment?
Work from home, meet some friends (but reasonable), travel to neighbor countries such as Austria or Italy, enjoy life to the fullest when going to restaurants or in a park or to the gym.
Perception
Who are to your opinion the heroes of this crisis?
Any medical workers
What did the crisis show you?
A lot of travel meetings can be replaced by online meetings.
What will you appreciate more after the crisis?
Food, travel and social contacts. And rural homes!!
Which images will you never forget?
Everyone running around with masks. People applauding the medical workers at 9pm in the evenings.
Which stories/incidents/experiences touched/shattered you the most?
People applauding the medical workers. Caring programs for elderly people to go shopping for them etc.
Perspective
What are you afraid of right now?
A second wave, economical crisis, a bad vaccination and to get sick from the virus.
What gives you hope?
The low level we had reached in corona infections every day. A good vaccination. People who take it serious.
Are you planning to travel within the next months?
Yes, but safe.
If they find a vaccine, would you take it?
If it´s 100% safe. If not, no.
What can we all learn from this crisis?
More online meetings. Value every healthy second.
If you could give 2020 a headline, what would it be?
CRAZY. Sooo many good and bad things happened in general and to myself. So after all it was an average year (so far), but with a lot of stuff going on.