Austria, Hohenems, Tatjana, Austrian, 28, Marketing, Not married/ No kids
General
How is the situation in your city/ country? Is there a 2nd wave yet?
The 2nd Wave is slowly starting now.
How did the atmosphere in your country change within the last months?
One month ago all the regulations opend slowly. People were excited to go out and visit restaurants and shopping centers again. Now regulations are getting stricter again. But I have the feeling people don‘t want to stay locked in anymore.
How are you and your family?
Very well! We have have a lot of nature and mountains near us where we can go to. We also have a big garden which helps a lot!
What was the biggest challenge for you within the last months?
Not to travel easily and not to see some friends from foreighn countries
Measures
When did you realize how serious the situation is?
In March when we where locked down at home.
How did your government react to the crisis? Which measures/restrictions were taken first?
The Austrian government reacted very fast. The lockdown started, we had to stay at home and wear masks for the supermarket. Almost all kind of other stores where closed.
Are you satisfied with the measures of your government? What was good/bad?
The measurements were necessary in my opinion because like this we could bring the number of infections down to the minimum. However, for the economy this was quite dramatic.
What would you like to say to your government?
I think they did the right thing.
Which sentence of a virologist/politician did you memorize the most?
–
The Virus
Do you know anybody who was infected with COVID-19 or even died?
My grandfaher, 92 years old was infected and survived. My mother and my aunt where also infected and survived.
Have you already done a Coronavirus test or have you been in quarantine?
I did neither of both.
Are you afraid of getting infected with the Coronavirus?
I‘m young and healthy. Of course I don’t want to get infected but I’m not too afraid.
The lockdown
How long is/was your lockdown and what was allowed/what wasn´t?
It took more or less two months. We where allowed to go to the supermarket, walk in the nature, go hiking, go on the streets without masks. The Restaurants where closed, all kind of stores except of grocery stores and pharmacies.
Did you spend the lockdown time with somebody and what did you do during this time?
I spend it with my family at home. As I‘m working with my parents for our own business I could continue with my work normally.
What did you miss the most during the lockdown? What helped you?
I missed going to restaurants and meet friends. It helped me to be together with my family.
Changes
How did your work situation change within the last months (shorter hours, working from home, etc.)
It stayed the same.
How did your social life (relationship/friendships/dating) change due to the Corona crisis?
I couldn’t meet my friends but my fiancé was with me and my family so that was really nice.
What impact has the Corona crisis on your financial situation?
Our family business suffered a lot as it is very closely connected to tourism.
Social distancing: How does your daily life look like at the moment?
Now we can meet friends again in Austria and everything seems pretty normal. It is only difficult to meet international friends.
Perception
Who are to your opinion the heroes of this crisis?
All the personell of hospitals, pharmacies. As well as public transport staff.
What did the crisis show you?
The crisis showed me how privileged we are living in a world almost without restrictions, where we can move freely wherever we want at any time we want.
What will you appreciate more after the crisis?
Seeing my friends and traveling.
Which images will you never forget?
People with masks everywhere. The cold trucks for the dead bodies infront of the hospitals in NY. And the improvised hospital stations inside parks in large cities.
Which stories/incidents/experiences touched/shattered you the most?
Hearing that in parts of South America dead bodies are lying on the streets because they can‘t keep up with the number of people dying.
Perspective
What are you afraid of right now?
Of a second shutdown.
What gives you hope?
That they say they are about to find a vaccine.
Are you planning to travel within the next months?
Yes, I‘m at my families place in Spain right now.
If they find a vaccine, would you take it?
I‘m not sure if I would really take it. Depends on the risks it brings.
What can we all learn from this crisis?
To be hygenic, washing hands often, not kissing everyone. And that we can be lucky with the freedom we have in our life’s.
If you could give 2020 a headline, what would it be?
The big shutdown.